WINNIPEG — The new interim leader of Manitoba’s Opposition Progressive Conservatives says his party has work to do but remains united. "We're not fractured,” Konrad Narth told reporters Tuesday morning shortly after being selected in a closed-door caucus meeting and just hours before the legislature sitting was set to resume. “We're moving forward together to represent Manitobans.” Narth, who represents La Vérendrye in the province's southeast, was chosen a day after Obby Khan abruptly quit the top job – and quit the caucus. Khan cited caucus turmoil and infighting and said he would sit as an Independent. Narth said the party would select a new leader at a later date and that he has no plans to run for the leadership on a permanent basis. "I'm here to continue moving us forward to find a new leader that will be the next premier of Manitoba," he said. The move leaves the Tories with 19 seats in the house, compared with 34 for Premier Wab Kinew's NDP, one Liberal and, with Khan, now three Independents. Khan had been in the job for 1 1/2 years. Under his leadership, the PCs struggled in the polls and with fundraising. "Affordability is becoming further and further out of reach each and every Manitoban, and yet our popularity in the polls has slipped. That's concerning,” Narth said. “We represent all of Manitoba here. “And we see many of the great communities and the great people that want to see a better future for their children, and for their neighbors, and we need to get back in touch with those people and truly represent their concerns for a better future for them.” The Tories find themselves without a permanent leader and the next scheduled provincial election a little over a year away, on Oct. 5, 2027. Kinew hasn't commented on Khan’s departure, but it has renewed speculation that with the Tories in flux, he might call a snap election. Christopher Adams, an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Manitoba, said he expects the premier would likely wait given municipal elections are set for this fall followed by the winter season. "My thinking is it's high probability they'll just wait out till (next) fall," Adams said in an interview. Adams said cascading events — from Kinew's high polling approval to the Tories' declining popularity in Winnipeg — make the move understandable. He said Khan likely had no choice but to step down, as the party isn't likely to win the next election. To turn things around, Adams said the PCs need to win back suburban Winnipeg. He suggested the party name a leader who could appeal to urban voters, citing Winnipeg city Coun. Janice Lukes or federal Conservative member of Parliament James Bezan as examples. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2026. Ian Bickis, The Canadian Press
