Tories Lead in Manitoba Byelection, NDP Narrowly Trails Behind

In the recent byelection for the Spruce Woods riding, the Progressive Conservative candidate Colleen Robbins emerged victorious, according to unofficial results from Elections Manitoba. Robbins secured a total of 2,805 votes, narrowly defeating New Democratic Party candidate Ray Berthelette, who garnered 2,735 votes, representing a margin of just 70 votes.

This byelection, held to fill the seat vacated by Grant Jackson in March, saw a robust voter turnout of 40.71 percent from the 14,757 registered voters in the riding, with a total of 6,008 ballots cast. The seat has traditionally favored the Progressive Conservatives since its establishment in 2011, where they have consistently obtained over 60 percent of the votes.

Close Contest Reflects Local Dynamics

The competition was intensified, reflecting the rural character of the riding, which includes parts of the city of Brandon along with surrounding small towns and farmland. The Liberal Party candidate, Stephen Reid, finished third with 444 votes. Despite the close outcome, the result does not alter the overall composition of the Manitoba legislature, where the NDP holds a commanding majority with 34 of the 57 seats, compared to the Progressive Conservatives’ 21 seats.

Robbins, a dedicated party volunteer, and Berthelette, who previously served as an executive assistant to cabinet minister Glen Simard, both brought significant local experience to their campaigns. Reid, on the other hand, is a former teacher in Brandon, illustrating a diverse range of backgrounds among the candidates.

The significance of this byelection extends beyond party dynamics. The NDP previously secured a surprising victory in a 2024 byelection in the Tuxedo seat, which had long been a stronghold for the Progressive Conservatives. This recent election may signal shifting voter sentiments in Manitoba.

Next Steps and Future Implications

With the initial vote count completed, the results are subject to verification by the returning officer. This process is critical to ensuring the accuracy of the results in a contest marked by such a slim margin. The official announcement will confirm whether Robbins will maintain the district’s longstanding alignment with the Progressive Conservative Party.

The byelection results reflect ongoing political shifts in the province and the evolving landscape of voter preferences. As parties strategize for future elections, the outcomes in Spruce Woods may provide insights into broader trends across Manitoba.

This report was first published on August 26, 2025, by The Canadian Press.