Manitoba NDP replaces most of Crown corporation board in first act of business

Two days after being sworn-in, Manitoba's NDP government has replaced most board members at the provincial Crown corporation that provides vehicle insurance.

Two days after being sworn in, Manitoba's NDP government has replaced most board members at the provincial Crown corporation that provides vehicle insurance.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said Friday that the top priority for the new board of Manitoba Public Insurance is to end a strike by some 1,700 unionized workers that started in late August.

"Manitobans count on Manitoba Public Insurance. They count on the services that they provide, and we need to get people back to work. That's the bottom line," said Wiebe, who is also the minister responsible for the corporation.

Carmen Nedohin has replaced Ward Keith as the board's chair. Nedohin is the former chair of the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission and a former Manitoba Hydro board member. She will be joined by several former Manitoba Public Insurance employees, as well as labour and community leaders.

"They have the capability to get this done," Wiebe said. "That's what we're counting on, and that's why we've asked such a strong board and a strong board chair to step in to take control to get moving forward."

The only returning member is Diane Roussin, who is a First Nations entrepreneur and advocate for children and families. Wiebe would not comment on why Roussin was appointed again.

The corporation's workers have been walking picket lines for several weeks in a dispute over wages.