Dawson Trail MLA leaves PC Party

A Tuesday announcement from Dawson Trail MLA Bob Lagasse that he is leaving the PC Party to sit as an independent was a long time coming for the man who was first elected in 2016.

“I’ve been kind of sitting on this for a little bit, trying to figure out what the best course of action would be,” he said.

Lagasse announced his decision in a Tuesday press release, saying his constituents deserve a voice that answers only to them.

His press release referenced Sio Silica as a reason for the change, and he told The Carillon it was specifically the ethics violations found to be committed by then premier Heather Stefanson, deputy premier Cliff Cullen and current PC MLA Jeff Wharton that drew his ire.

Both Stefanson and Cullen are no longer provincial representatives, but the party’s treatment of Wharton frustrated Lagasse.

“He was found in an ethics violation and we did nothing,” he explained. “We weren’t even given the option to do anything.”

He said his party’s lack of support on mental health also played a role, something he said was made clear by actions of PC leader Obby Khan.

“We saw it when the leader decided to fake-shoot himself in the head,” he said of an incident that happened in an October debate. “Anyone who’s familiar with my story knows what I’ve been going through. I was at my darkest point.”

Khan later apologized for the action which house speaker Tom Lindsay described as “egregious.”

Lagasse attended the legislature through Zoom while struggling with mental health issues, a journey that he was transparent about in the hopes of letting others know they weren’t alone.

He said he felt pressure to come back.

“I shared (my story) in the hopes of helping others and then to have someone openly mock it like that, that’s when the respect on my end was kind of lost,” he said.

Lagasse said there were many other issues but refused to name them.

“I don’t want to make this about the party or any of that stuff,” he said. “I want to make this about the residents of Dawson Trail and the fact that their voice now will be unrestricted by party line and toeing that line.”

University of Manitoba political studies professor Paul Thomas said he suspects Lagasse could also have been impacted by the poor standing of the party and their leader.

He added that Lagasse’s chance of winning reelection is low.

“Independents generally do not fare well in elections,” he said. “Most votes are cast for leaders and parties, not for individual candidates.”

Lagasse said he’s aware of the challenge.

“I know it’s a monumental task and I’m taking on a giant,” he said.

However, he said he didn’t consider crossing the floor to the NDP Party and thought becoming an independent was better for his constituents than stepping down and triggering a byelection.

“My values are still that of a progressive conservative and I’m going to emphasize progressive,” he said.

He said his constituency association supported his decision to become an independent, promising to remain a part of his team.

“They’re going to back me as an independent in the next election,” he said.

Lagasse’s departure brings the PC seat count to 20.

His departure follows the announced retirements of Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen and Springfield-Ritchot MLA Ron Schuler.

PC Leader Obby Khan said he wished Lagasse well.

“I look forward to getting out and finding representation in Dawson Trail and we’ve had a lot of great people come and support us over the years,” he said.

Premier Wab Kinew thanked Lagasse for his contributions and said the NDP hope to pick up this seat in the election that must be held by Oct. 5, 2027.

“Communities like Lorette and the rest of Dawson Trail – you have a government that’s building hockey rinks in your constituency,” he said. “You have a government that said no to the Sio Silica project. You have a government that’s serious about rural health care – so come on over.”

In the 2023 election the NDP made a strong run in Dawson Trail with Chris Wiebe earning 4,049 votes for nearly 45 percent of the total. Lagasse won with 4,592 votes or close to 51 percent of the total.

Lagasse describes himself and his association as election-ready, saying they are ready to hit the ground running, and work for all constituents regardless of party affiliation.

“Whether it’s improving rural infrastructure, supporting agriculture, strengthening local economies, or protecting our water and land, I will work with anyone willing to move Dawson Trail forward,” he said.

– with files from the Winnipeg Free Press