These three branches are linked through the Crown, which is the head of state and represented by the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba.

[2] The head of state is primarily a ceremonial role, although the Lieutenant Governor has the official responsibility of ensuring that Manitoba always has a duly constituted government, with the authority to summon, prorogue, and dissolve the legislature.

[2][7] In 1869, after the control of Rupert's Land was passed from Great Britain to the Government of Canada, Manitoba was created as the first Canadian province carved out of the North-Western Territory.

The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba was soon established on 14 July 1870,[8] and would first meet on 15 March 1871 in Fort Garry (now Winnipeg).

That party's leader is the Premier of Manitoba, and is both the head of government and the President of the Executive Council.

With a provisional government set up by Métis leader Louis Riel in the Red River Colony—following the Red River Rebellion (or Resistance) against the federal Canadian government—Prime Minister John A. Macdonald decided to negotiate with Riel and his party.

Though Macdonald was reluctant, Manitoba entered Confederation as a province, and English and French-language rights were safeguarded in the new legislature and the courts.

[11] In April 1890, the Manitoba Legislature ceased to publish bilingual legislation, as well as taking other courses of action in attempts to abolish the official status of French in the province.

[3][4][5] At its inception, the province was allotted only four seats in the federal Parliament, which at the time allowed strong representation for Manitoba considering its small population.

Following the Red River Rebellion (or Resistance) against the federal Canadian government—with concern over Métis land rights, among other things—local people of the Red River Settlement (or Colony) demanded for a voice to create the terms under which the Colony would be incorporated into the newly formed Canada.

With a provisional government in place, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald decided to negotiate with Riel and his people.

Among other things, the final list demanded that Manitoba be admitted into Confederation as a province (rather than a territory).

[19] The United Farmers of Manitoba appeared in 1922, and later merged with the Liberals in 1932 to form the dominant political party.

[19] In Manitoba, general elections to the Legislative Assembly are typically held every five years; however, the Lieutenant Governor is able to call one at any time.

There, the electoral officer would record the votes, and the simple plurality (i.e., first-past-the-post or FPTP) system was used to elect members for the 24 seats in the Legislative Assembly.

In 1888, the requirement to be in "good financial standing" was eliminated,[i] and two years later, those receiving government salary of CA$350 or more could now vote.

In this system, the city was consolidated into a single constituency electing ten members; and voters cast one vote.

[20] In 1980, the Elections Finances Act (EFA) was proclaimed in Manitoba,[v] introducing spending limits on advertising for candidates and parties; a tax-credit system for contributions to registered political parties and candidates; and provisions for financial disclosure of contributions and expenses.

Effective 1 July 1986, only Canadian citizens would be eligible to vote, which would exclude British subjects and landed immigrants.

Five years later, in 2006, rewriting of the Elections Act would bring about significant changes to understanding Manitoba's electoral system.

Also that year, election expense limits and election advertising expense limits for parties and candidates were increased; political parties were made entitled to public funding (called an 'annual allowance'), with a requirement of having to file a statement in order to receive that allowance; the ban on government advertising and publications was extended to 90 days prior to a set-date election; and thresholds were increased for fundraising-event ticket sales and on items sold for fundraising.

[20] The current Premier of Manitoba is Wab Kinew, who leads the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 34 seats.

[23][24] Additional charters or acts are in place specifically for the cities of Brandon, Flin Flon, Portage la Prairie, Thompson and Winnipeg, the towns of Morris and Winnipeg Beach, and the rural municipalities of Kelsey, St. Andrews and Victoria Beach.