Manitoba MLA Bob Lagassé leaves PCs to become an Independent | CBC News
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Manitoba MLA Bob Lagassé will no longer serve under the Progressive Conservative banner.
Lagassé, who represents Dawson Trail, announced during question period on Tuesday that he will now serve as an Independent MLA.
“The people of Dawson Trail deserve a voice that answers only to them,” Lagassé said in an email statement after leaving question period.
“Families, farmers, small businesses and municipalities in this region want strong representation focused on local priorities, not directives from party headquarters.”
He will serve as an Independent until the end of the legislative session, he told CBC News.
Lagassé becomes the second MLA to leave his party since the 2023 election. MLA Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry) left the NDP to also serve as an Independent.
Lagassé’s departure comes on the heels of a number of PC MLAs announcing they don’t intend to run for re-election.
Selkirk MLA Richard Perchotte, Turtle Mountain MLA Doyle Piwniuk, Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen and Springfield-Ritchot MLA Ron Schuler have all announced they will not seek re-election.
NDP Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara commended Lagassé.
“It was an act of courage,” Asagwara said during question period.
“This is somebody who has advocated for mental health … someone who has been a really great advocate for community and raising the voices of those in this area.”