Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen is now the Opposition Leader of Manitoba. But the role will be short-lived.

Earlier this week, Heather Stefanson stepped down as Opposition Leader. The move requires the Progressive Conservative Caucus MLAs to elect an Interim Leader until the party goes through a leadership campaign and selects a more permanent leader. However, Goertzen says the PC Caucus is not able to get together for a few days because of various commitments and responsibilities. As a result, Goertzen, who is the Deputy Leader of the PC Party, will take on the role of Official Opposition Leader during this in-between period.

According to Goertzen, they are scheduling a vote for later this week yet, at which time the PC Caucus will elect an Interim Leader of the PC Party and Official Opposition Leader. 

"It's all very complex and I know people roll their eyes at these sorts of things and are wondering why it has to be so complicated," says Goertzen. "But there's lots of legislative reasons why it is that way."

Goertzen says he will not be running for the job of Interim Leader. He says it is time for "new people" to take on those leadership roles. 

"The reality is over the last 20 years, I've held virtually every position of leadership in our party and many within government and it is time for new people to take on those responsibilities," he adds. 

Goertzen says the role that he values most right now in government, is being a mentor to the new MLAs, giving them advice where advice is sought, and taking on a more senior position in the party. 

"Others did it for me when I was first elected 20 years ago and I remember how valuable that was for me and so I very much appreciate now being able to do that for new members," he adds.

Goertzen says the expectation is that the leadership race will last about eight months or so, meaning later this year there will be a new leader of the party, who will take them to the next election.

Meanwhile, concerning Stefanson, Goertzen says the two of them have had very similar career trajectories. He notes they both served in opposition for a long time, then both formed government together and at different times they each served as Minister of Justice, Minister of Health, Deputy Premier, and Premier. 

"We have very, very similar sort of experiences within government and in Opposition, so I think we share that in terms of common sense of experience within the Legislature," he adds.

Goertzen says the two of them have always had a very good professional relationship and he has always appreciated how Stefanson has taken her job seriously, both within her constituency but also within the whole of Manitoba. 

Goertzen adds that Stefanson will be remembered for being the first female Premier in Manitoba. Having also served as Premier, Goertzen says he understands how difficult leadership roles can be.

"They all take a toll on you personally and they all take a toll on your family," he adds. "And while they are a great honour to serve in those roles, they come at a personal cost and so I know that for her and her family, she bore some of that cost."

Though Stefanson will continue to serve as MLA for Tuxedo, Goertzen says he is glad that she will now get to spend a little bit more time without the burdens and responsibilities of also being the Opposition Leader.