Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger reads his governments Speech From The Throne at a news conference and speaks to media at the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, Thursday, November 20, 2014. Selinger and two of his former cabinet ministers, Theresa Oswald and Steve Ashton, discussed aboriginal issues Thursday at an inner-city event that was not well-advertised and attracted roughly 30 people.John Woods/The Canadian Press
Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has faced off for the first time with the two people trying to unseat him, in a two-hour debate that was polite and filled with consensus.
Selinger and two of his former cabinet ministers, Theresa Oswald and Steve Ashton, discussed aboriginal issues Thursday at an inner-city event that was not well-advertised and attracted roughly 30 people.
All three promised to pressure the federal government to improve living conditions on reserves and to improve aboriginal education and health care.
Oswald, who last fall started the leadership challenge that is now facing Selinger, praised him for trying to convince the federal government to boost funding and to call an inquiry into missing and murdered women.
All three candidates promised to have more aboriginal issues in the school curriculum — Oswald said it would address the "ignorance" of those who hold racist beliefs.
Ashton said he was not taught the truth about Louis Riel in school and only later learned about Riel's role in bringing Manitoba into Confederation.
Selinger said Canada has to address the legacy of the residential school system and other measures taken by past governments.
Oswald told the audience the real solution is to change the government in Ottawa.
"I think there have been many, many efforts made by Premier Selinger and by Premier Doer before him to ... hold the federal government's feet to the fire," she said.
"This particular federal Conservative government knows no shame when it comes to dealing with issues concerning aboriginal people in our country."
Oswald was among the first to suggest Selinger consider resigning last fall, after the NDP government plummeted in opinion polls, but she told the sparse audience Thursday she bears no bad feelings toward the premier.
She has repeatedly said she is challenging the premier in order to help the NDP survive the next election slated for April 2016.
About 2,200 NDP delegates will vote for the party leadership March 8.