The New Democratic Party won a majority government in the 1999 provincial election. Barrett did not run for re-election in Wellington, but instead challenged popular Liberal incumbent Kevin Lamoureux in the neighbouring division of Inkster. She won by 143 votes. Barrett was regarded as a strong ally of incoming premier Gary Doer,Doug Nairne, "Would-be cabinet maker has house full of choices", Winnipeg Free Press, 25 January 1999, A4. and there was little surprise when she was chosen as a member of his first cabinet.
