This afternoon, Premier Kelvin Goertzen addressed the public for the first time as Premier.
Kelvin announced that Manitoba's controversial education reform bill and four other pieces of legislation delayed by the opposition party will not move forward to a vote.
"I want to thank all of those who signed up to have their voices heard on those five bills in particular. However, I also know that a new leader has to set their own agenda. As such, cabinet and caucus have authorized with my full support that those bills will not move forward in the fall."
He says that this is about creating a clean slate for a new leader.
Goertzen also announced that he asked Minister Rochelle Squires to serve as Deputy Premier, and she accepted the offer.
"I'm honoured that she has accepted my offer."
He thanked Brian Pallister for his service, on behalf of his caucus and Manitobans.
"For three decades, Mister Pallister has served in challenging roles provincially, and in Canada, the challenges have never been greater than they've been over the last 18 months. I know it's taken a toll on his family, I saw that personally."
Goertzen will be Manitoba's 23rd premier for a two-month term until he's replaced by one of the candidates running to replace Pallister on October 30th.
Goertzen has served as MLA for Steinbach since 2003.
