Greg Selinger, left, new leader of the Manitoba NDP and next premier of the province, raises his arms in victory with opponent Steve Ashton at the leadership convention Saturday in Winnipeg.Greg Selinger, left, new leader of the Manitoba NDP and next premier of the province, raises his arms in victory with opponent Steve Ashton at the leadership convention Saturday in Winnipeg. (John Woods/Canadian Press)Greg Selinger, Manitoba's finance minister since 1999, has been chosen to become the province's next premier.

Provincial NDP delegates at a convention in Winnipeg voted Saturday to select Selinger as the party's new leader, succeeding Gary Doer.

As leader of the governing party, he becomes premier.

Selinger, 58, edged fellow caucus member Steve Ashton, 53, in the vote of 2,003 delegates at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. Ashton is a longtime MLA and cabinet member.

Of the ballots cast, Selinger won 1,317 and Ashton 685. One ballot was spoiled, party officials said.

Doer announced Aug. 27 he was stepping down. The next day, he was appointed Canada’s next ambassador to the U.S.

The next steps

Gary Doer will officially step down Sunday and Selinger will be sworn in as premier the following day.

He told reporters following the leadership convention a new cabinet will be named in as little as two weeks.

There is room for rival leadership candidate Steve Ashton in that cabinet, Ashton said.

Selinger said his immediate priorities are to continue managing Manitoba's economy, calling it "one of the most pressing" issues facing the province.

Selinger also said the government's response to an expected H1N1 swine flu outbreak this fall is also at the top of his agenda.

Selinger rebuffed questions about the possibility of calling a provincial election sooner than the one scheduled for 2011, saying he believes Manitobans want the NDP to complete the mandate granted by voters in 2007.

Selinger, MLA for the riding of St. Boniface, has been finance minister since the New Democratic Party took power 10 years ago.

In a brief acceptance speech, Selinger told the packed house of NDP faithful that the party is coming out of the sometimes-fractious campaign more united than before.

"We will govern with warm hearts and cool minds," Selinger pledged.

"We come together today to move Manitoba forward," he said. "We come out of this convention stronger."

He asked delegates to be public ambassadors for the party.

Selinger went on to acknowledge both Ashton and Andrew Swan as formidable candidates. Swan dropped out of the race in late September and declared his support for Selinger.

Ashton was gracious in defeat, saying he wanted to make Selinger's win unanimous.

University of Manitoba political scientist Jared Wesley said the margin of Selinger's win was the largest for any Manitoba NDP leader at a convention since 1974.

Pre-vote speeches mark different styles

Before the voting, each candidate made a brief speech to delegates.

Greg Selinger, centre, enjoys his victory with outgoing premier Gary Doer, left, and opponent Steve Ashton at the leadership convention.Greg Selinger, centre, enjoys his victory with outgoing premier Gary Doer, left, and opponent Steve Ashton at the leadership convention. (John Woods/Canadian Press)Selinger focused on his track record as finance minister and his endorsements from high-profile community members, union leaders and NDP heavy-hitters.

He also addressed the importance of party renewal and reached out to Ashton in comments addressing party unity.

In his most partisan statement, Selinger warned that opposition parties are always seeking ways to divide the NDP.

"I hear the opposition ... our opponents want to wipe out our accomplishments," Selinger told delegates, two-thirds of whom were wearing orange T-shirts in support of him.

Ashton stressed the themes of his campaign in his speech to delegates.

He portrayed himself as the man who knows what it's like to be a political outsider, with his background as a northern Manitoban who has fought for the rights of working people, aboriginals and new Canadians.

CBC Radio host Terry MacLeod interviews outgoing premier Gary Doer, right, at the NDP leadership convention.CBC Radio host Terry MacLeod interviews outgoing premier Gary Doer, right, at the NDP leadership convention. (Ruth Shead/CBC)Ashton pledged to improve the living conditions of aboriginal people living in remote areas of the province if he became premier.

"Let's put an end to the Third World conditions," Ashton said.

His proposed "dignity bill" would have seen governments, workplaces and public establishments work toward zero tolerance for discriminatory, demeaning or racist actions.