One week after Canada's election, Manitoba premier addresses decimation of federal NDP

One week after the federal New Democratic Party lost most of its seats as well as its leader, Manitoba's NDP premier expressed disappointment in the party's showing but said he has no interest in replacing Jagmeet Singh.

On federal election night, Singh lost his Burnaby Central seat and resigned as leader of the NDP, which was reduced to seven seats in Parliament — and lost official party status — after heading into the April 28 vote with 24 ridings.

In Manitoba, the party lost two of its three seats, leaving Winnipeg Centre's Leah Gazan as the lone NDP MP in this province.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, who was on vacation last week, said Monday he would have preferred a better result for the federal wing of his party.

"I'm a New Democrat. I would have loved to see the NDP form government at the federal level," Kinew told reporters at a scrum inside his office in the Manitoba Legislative Building.

Kinew also thanked Singh, stating he had "a real relationship" with the former federal NDP leader and said he tried to stick with him whenever he could.

"His commitment to his country was exemplary. He put the best interests of Canadians first and I know that whatever comes next for him and his beautiful family, he will put his talents to good work serving Canada so well," Kinew said.

Manitoba's premier also said he has no interest in becoming the next permanent leader of the federal NDP.

"Manitobans have given me the best job in the world," Kinew said. "I fully intend to carry out this amazing job that I've been asked to perform as premier and, in a few years, I will be going to ask for your support to be re-elected."

The only other NDP premier in Canada addressed the federal NDP's vacant leadership one day after the election. B.C. Premier David Eby said on April 29 he has no interest in running to lead the federal party.

"I do hope that someone steps up to run for the federal party that has a commitment to bringing Canadians together, a commitment to rebuilding the party and ensuring that the federal NDP can play an important role in the future of Canada," Eby told CBC News.

On Monday evening, the federal NDP's governing council appointed Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies as interim leader.

Gazan took to Twitter to express annoyance that she learned of the Davies appointment through the media.

"Great finding out through the news," she tweeted. "Go 'team' NDP."