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Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative Party has appointed Konrad Narth as interim leader after Obby Khan quit on Monday.
“It is an exciting day to be a Conservative in Manitoba,” PC deputy caucus chair Josh Guenter said at a news conference Tuesday morning, announcing Narth as a unanimous choice of the caucus.
Narth, the MLA for La Verendrye, thanked the caucus for showing its trust in him and thanked Khan for his service.
“I think there’s a better path forward for this province, and the Progressive Conservatives are committed to showing Manitobans exactly what that looks like. We’re moving forward for all Manitobans,” Narth said.
Khan announced Monday evening that he was resigning as the leader and as a member of PCs, effective Tuesday — the same day the legislature resumes sitting.
Narth said three consecutive polls suggested support for Khan was dwindling.
Obby Khan announces he’s stepping down as leader of the Opposition Progressive Conservatives at the Manitoba Legislature on Monday. (Bartley Kives/CBC)
“So questions are raised, concerns are brought forward, and we’ve seen that MLA Khan has made the decision to step aside,” Narth said.
The party will now decide the process and timelines for a leadership race, said Narth, who won’t be putting his name forward.
“I’m here to do the work to move us to that next point,” he said.
“We’re here to move forward with a leader that’s willing and capable to show Manitobans who we are and show Manitobans that there is a brighter future for everyone.”
There are now 19 PCs, one Liberal and three Independents facing Premier Wab Kinew’s 34 New Democrats.
Narth said the PCs must show the public they are a party for everyone. When asked if that wasn’t the case before, he said it clearly wasn’t resonating as such.
Narth dismissed any suggestion the party is splintered.
“We’re not fractured. I’d say we’re more than united,” he said.
“I have not heard that there is any member of our caucus that isn’t pulling together with the direction that we’re committed to here today.”
However, just 15 of the party’s MLAs attended Tuesday’s announcement. Among the missing were Kelvin Goertzen and Ron Schuler, whom Khan thanked by name during his resignation speech on Monday.
Some MLAs are on hunting trips, Narth said, explaining the absence.
“There’s life that also comes in the way.”
Khan announced his resignation just after 5 p.m. Monday at the legislative building in Winnipeg, saying divisions within the PC caucus left him no choice.
He was the subject of a confidence vote on Friday and survived it, but he said Monday that over the course of the weekend, he learned some members planned to meet Monday evening in what he described as an effort to “subvert the democratic will” of the caucus.
“I cannot be a part of a caucus with a small minority membership that lacks moral integrity, that will not abide by our rules, our principles, our code,” he said.
Narth defended his caucus on Tuesday.
“I stand by each and every one of the MLAs who are here with me today and the morals that they represent,” he said.
Khan became the party leader last year, after former Manitoba premier Heather Stefanson stepped down in early 2024.
Khan did not take questions from reporters after his speech on Monday.
He will continue to represent the Winnipeg constituency of Fort Whyte as an Independent, he said.
The next scheduled provincial election date is in October 2027.