FEDERAL NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on Wednesday congratulated Wab Kinew on being elected Canada’s first First Anishinaabe premier, telling him: “Manitobans will be in good hands under your leadership, and we look forward to the much-needed change your government will bring.”

Kinew is the son of a residential school survivor and is the first First Nations premier of a province in Canada.

Singh said: “Canadians are exhausted. Last night, they spoke loudly and clearly about the kind of government they’d like to lead them through these tough times – one that prioritizes healthcare, bringing down the cost of living, and reconciliation. Canadians are tired after eight years of a Trudeau government and they’re sick of Conservatives cutting the services their families need. Clearly, Canadians are ready to have the scales tilted in their favour, for once.”

He added: “We’ve seen that, across the country, New Democrats are delivering and winning for Canadians, whether it is Premier [David] Eby in British Columbia, Premier-elect Kinew in Manitoba, or Mayor [Olivia] Chow in Toronto. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles has won big for Ontarians on the Greenbelt, and Rachel Notley and Carla Beck are fighting relentlessly against Conservatives’ harmful decisions.”

Singh asserted: “New Democrats want to build a country where everyone can afford good, nutritious food for their families and home they can afford in the communities that they love. New Democrats believe in a better health care system, and one that shouldn’t cost you a dime.”

He said: “Again, Canada’s New Democrats congratulate Premier-elect Kinew and the entire NDP Manitoba team for their well-deserved win. With more New Democrats, it means more help for people.”