ManitobaManitoba PC candidate Colleen Robbins has won Tuesday’s provincial by-election in the southwestern constituency of Spruce Woods, CBC News projects, allowing the PCs to hold on to a seat they have held since 2011.Spruce Woods constituency has been a PC stronghold since 2011CBC News · Posted: Aug 25, 2025 11:32 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoColleen Robbins celebrates with supporters at the Woodfire Deli in Souris, Man., on Tuesday night, after results were announced in the byelection for the Spruce Woods seat in the Manitoba Legislature. Robbins held the seat for the Progressive Conservatives, winning by 70 votes over the NDP’s Ray Berthelette. (Ian Froese/CBC)Manitoba Progressive Conservative candidate Colleen Robbins has won Tuesday’s provincial byelection in the southwestern constituency of Spruce Woods, allowing the Opposition PCs to hold on to a seat they have held since 2011.In a tight race, Robbins defeated NDP candidate Ray Berthelette, by just 70 votes — 2,805 for Robbins to Berthelette’s 2,735, with all polls reporting as of about 9:30 p.m.Liberal candidate Stephen Reid came in a distant third, with 444 votes.The close result may have come as a surprise, given that the PCs have garnered between 61 and 73 per cent of the vote in the constituency during four general elections since 2011.NDP candidate Ray Berthelette speaks to supporters in Brandon, Man., on Tuesday night after results were announced in Spruce Woods byelection. Berthelette lost the seat by just 70 votes to Robbins. (Maggie Wilcox/Radio-Canada)Spruce Woods had been without an elected provincial representative since March, when former MLA Grant Jackson resigned to make a successful run to become the Conservative MP for Brandon-Souris.The mostly rural constituency, which encompasses the north side of Brandon, nine rural municipalities surrounding the city, and the communities of Souris, Glenboro, Rivers, Wawanesa and Oak Lake, had only elected PC MLAs since being created in 2011. The byelection took place only weeks before the deadline imposed by provincial legislation governing vacant seats. Premier Wab Kinew said in July he wanted to take the time to ensure his New Democrats would be competitive in a traditionally conservative constituency, opining that “there are no freebies” for the Progressive Conservative Opposition.Robbins with Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan on Tuesday, after byelection results were announced. Spruce Woods has only elected PC MLAs since being created in 2011. (Ian Froese/CBC)The NDP government announced or re-announced at least $334 million worth of funding for western Manitoba during the months leading up to the byelection call. Robbins, a former nurse and party official issued two apologies last week — one for old social media comments about residential schools and unions, the other for falsely asserting at a debate that gender-affirming surgery is being conducted on minors in Manitoba.The NDP candidate, former Realtor Ray Berthelette, struggled to defend his party’s health-care record at the same debate. The NDP also faced a PC claim that Kinew violated election blackout rules by using his Instagram account to repeat a Berthelette promise to repair a section of Highway 2.’Nerve-racking’ race: RobbinsIn her victory speech, Robbins said she will work for all constituents in Spruce Woods, whether they voted for her or not. “I promise to be a representative that listens, that works hard every single day, and who never forgets this role is about service and not power” she said. Robbins hugs a supporter on Tuesday night. She said the close race was ‘nerve-racking’ for her, and for her family and supporters. (Ian Froese/CBC)”To those that did not support me, I want you to know that my door is open to you all.”Speaking to reporters Tuesday night, Robbins called the close race “nerve-racking” for her, and for her family and supporters.But “a win is a win,” she said, as she thanked voters for putting their faith in her.
Manitoba PCs’ Colleen Robbins wins Spruce Woods byelection by tight margin
