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Heather Stefanson

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The Honourable
Heather Stefanson
MLA
Stefanson in 2022
24th Premier of Manitoba
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 2, 2021
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
Lieutenant GovernorJanice Filmon
DeputyRochelle Squires
Kelvin Goertzen
Cliff Cullen
Preceded byKelvin Goertzen
Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 30, 2021
Preceded byKelvin Goertzen (interim)
Minister of Health and Seniors Care
In office
January 5, 2021 – August 18, 2021
PremierBrian Pallister
Preceded byCameron Friesen
Succeeded byAudrey Gordon
7th Deputy Premier of Manitoba
In office
May 3, 2016 – January 5, 2021
PremierBrian Pallister
Preceded byKerri Irvin-Ross
Succeeded byKelvin Goertzen
Minister of Families
In office
August 1, 2018 – January 5, 2021
PremierBrian Pallister
Preceded byScott Fielding
Succeeded byRochelle Squires
Minister of Justice
Attorney General of Manitoba
In office
May 3, 2016 – August 1, 2018
PremierBrian Pallister
Preceded byGord Mackintosh
Succeeded byCliff Cullen
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Tuxedo
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 21, 2000
Preceded byGary Filmon
Personal details
Born
Heather Dorothy Stefanson

(1970-05-11) May 11, 1970 (age 54)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Political partyProgressive Conservative
Children2
Alma materUniversity of Western Ontario (BA)

Heather Dorothy Stefanson MLA (born May 11, 1970) is a Canadian politician who has served as the 24th premier of Manitoba since November 2, 2021. She is the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba and sits as a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), representing the electoral district of Tuxedo.

Early life and career

Heather Dorothy Stefanson was born on May 11, 1970, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.[1][2] She was raised in Winnipeg, where she attended St. John's-Ravenscourt School.[3] She received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Western Ontario.[4]

After receiving her degree, Stefanson worked as a special assistant in the Office of the Prime Minister under Brian Mulroney before returning to Manitoba in 1993 as an assistant to federal Agriculture Minister Charlie Mayer.[5][better source needed]

In 1999, Stefanson was suspended for seven months by the Manitoba district council of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada for failing to meet educational requirements. Stefanson was found to have made 34 inappropriate trades while she was working as an investment adviser at Wellington West Capital.[6] In 2003, Wellington West Capital was fined $13,000 for failing to supervise the activities of Stefanson. She had been suspended from acting in the capacity of a registered representative but had issued statements to clients indicating her employment as a registered representative during this suspension.[7] From 1995 to 2000, Stefanson was a member of the University of Manitoba's Young Associates organization.[1]

Political career

Stefanson was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in a 2000 by-election, replacing former Progressive Conservative Premier Gary Filmon in the south Winnipeg riding of Tuxedo. Stefanson defeated Liberal Rochelle Zimberg by 2692 votes to 1586; Iona Starr, representing the governing New Democratic Party (NDP), finished third.[8] Stefanson was easily re-elected in the 2003 election, with the NDP improving to a second-place status.[9] She was re-elected in the 2007,[10] 2011,[11] 2016,[12] and 2019 elections.[13]

In 2016, Premier Brian Pallister named Stefanson deputy premier and the minister of justice and attorney general. In 2018, she became the minister of families[14] in addition to her role as deputy premier. In 2021, she took over the health portfolio; health minister Kelvin Goertzen became deputy premier.

During Manitoba's third-wave of Covid-19 Stefanson claimed on May 18, 2021 that Manitoba's health system could handle an additional 50 patients in the ICU for a total of 170. However, later that day, she announced ICU beds were at capacity and two patients had been sent to Thunder Bay for treatment.[15][16] Shared Health had been aware that the healthcare system was unable to handle 170 patients, and on May 7, chief nursing officer Lanette Siragusa called a previous exercise showing capacity at 173 ICU beds a “paper exercise” that "did not reflect the reality of Manitoba’s capacity".[17] On May 13, Shared Health CEO Adam Topp attended a meeting regarding Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and ICU capacity. However, Stefanson claims she was not aware of this meeting, and didn't know about the out-of-province transfer until after the decision was made. In total, Manitoba transferred 57 Covid-19 patients out of the province during the third wave, 12 of whom died while being treated out of province.[18]

Premier of Manitoba

After Pallister announced his impending retirement, Stefanson announced that she would run in the 2021 Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba leadership election.[19] She was the first PC party member to announce their candidacy in the election, and had the support of two thirds of the PC caucus.[20] Pallister resigned on September 1, and Goertzen took over as premier pending the election of his successor.

Stefanson narrowly won the race with 363 votes over her opponent, Shelly Glover.[21] Stefanson was sworn in as Manitoba's first female premier on November 2, 2021, with Goertzen as her deputy.[21][22] On March 21, Stefanson released her leadership campaign financials revealing that she raised $576,625 in campaign donations,[23][24] $360,000 of that money came from 120 individuals who donated the maximum amount of $3,000.[25] On May 14, 2022, Stefanson was cautioned for having illegally spent $1,800 in campaign funds prior to the electoral period beginning.[26][27] Malaya Marcelino, an NDP MLA pointed out this is not the first time Stefanson has flouted rules referencing the $31 Million dollars in real estate sales Stefanson neglected to disclose.[6]

On January 27, 2022, Stefanson admitted to breaking conflict of interest rules when she failed to disclose over 31 million dollars in property sales. As an MLA, Stefanson had listed these properties among her assets, but then stopped when the properties sold and she did not file all required paperwork, but had met with the conflict of interest commissioner.[28][29]

On March 15, Stefanson received widespread criticism[30][31][32][33] for responding to Wab Kinew's question about Krystal Mousseau, an ICU patient who died during a failed transfer to a hospital out of Manitoba[34] with a boast about her son's performance at a hockey game. Two days later Stefanson issued a brief written apology.[35][36] The NDP has been calling for an inquiry into circumstances of the death citing a letter from the regional health authority released a letter explaining that the transfer team was lacking critical monitoring equipment and training. Additionally, the patient was being given medication at the wrong rate.[37][38] On March 22, Stefanson admitted during a radio interview that she had not reached out to Mousseau's family to offer an apology or condolences.[39]

Stefanson was criticized[40] for making excuses for the out-of-province transfers saying "Manitoba was no exception, this is what’s happening across the country.",[41][42] however Saskatchewan and Manitoba were the only provinces that transferred ICU patients out of the province.[40] On April 6, Dan Roberts, a critical care physician and professor of medicine at the University of Manitoba, called on the government to open an inquiry into Krystal Mousseau's death.[43] He also criticized the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party for "privatizing and dismantling" much of Manitoba's Air Ambulance Service in 2017[44] a change that was criticized by physicians who warned this move would compromise patient safety.[45]

Stefanson's absence from the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, one of the largest agricultural events in Western Canada, was criticized by many[46][47][48] who noted that she consistently is ranked as the most unpopular premier in Canada.[49][50][51] Stefanson's reason given for missing the fair was she was on vacation with her son for spring break. Kelly Saunders, a professor at Brandon University, said she couldn't remember any other premier skipping the event in over 20 years, noting that it was surprising for the premier to miss this important agricultural event in Manitoba's second largest city.[47]

Stefanson has been accused of repeatedly missing question period to attend press conferences instead. Nahanni Fontaine said Stefanson's refusal to participate in question period prevented MLAs from doing their jobs. Liberal MLA Jon Gerrard noted that these absences may contribute to further erosion of trust in the provincial government.[52] These claims of a violation of member's privilege were later dismissed by the Speaker of the Legislature.[53] Comparison to the attendance record of previous Premier's shows a similar rate of attendance.

On May 3, 2022 Saskatchewan announced that their provincial minimum wage would rise to $13, effective October 1, 2022. This would make Manitoba's the lowest in Canada. On May 27, 2022, Stefanson's government introduced legislation to increase the minimum wage which was tied to the rate of inflation by legislation.[54] On August 18, 2022 Stefanson announced the minimum wage would rise to $13.50 by October 1, 2022 and to $14.15 on April 1st, 2023. In addition to this, the inflationary increase previously legislated is forecast to have Manitoba's minimum wage above $15 an hour by October 2023.[55][56] This increase was criticized by advocates as being not enough given increasing inflation and increasing cost of living.[57] The Centre for Policy Alternatives released a report that suggests a living wage for a family of four with two working parents in Winnipeg is 18.34 per hour, far below the current minimum wage in Manitoba. [58]

On June 9, 2022, Pride Winnipeg criticized Stefanson for using Pride as a photo-op when she neglected to march in the parade after promising to do so three separate times. When questioned, Stefanson blamed this on scheduling conflicts and miscommunication from her staff.[59] Last year the Premier, Brian Pallister, also promised to march in the parade after giving a speech. After breaking this promise, Pride Winnipeg then implemented a policy that invited speakers must also march in the parade.[60] In response, Pride Winnipeg stated that they would not be extending an invitation to Stefanson to speak at any 2023 pride events.[61][62][63]

Stefanson is credited dramatically improving relationships with other levels of government, which Federal officials and Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman have remarked to media.[64] This comes as Stefanson has continued to work with other First Minister's to pressure the Federal Government to restore it's share of the Canada Health Transfer.[65][66]

On Tuesday October 18, concerns were raised when it was discovered that Stefanson had used an undisclosed secret email for government communication.[67] In a freedom of information request it was revealed that on February 11 Stefanson privately pleaded for help from the Federal government amidst border blockades, asking for "immediate and effective" action and "national leadership that only you and the federal government can provide".[68] A few days later Stefanson would publicly claim that the situation was under control, and called on the government to refrain from using the Emergencies Act.[69]

Electoral results

2019 Manitoba general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Progressive Conservative Heather Stefanson 4,645 47.46 -10.22 $21,522.01
Liberal Marc Brandson 2,287 23.37 +8.61 $4,961.95
New Democratic Carla Compton 1,921 19.63 +4.71 $614.25
Green Kristin Lauhn-Jensen 793 8.10 -2.79 $0.00
Manitoba Abby Al-Sahi 61 0.62 New $2,520.94
Total valid votes 100.0  
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Eligible voters


2016 Manitoba general election: Tuxedo
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Progressive Conservative Heather Stefanson 4,986 58.49 +5.75 $24,812.05
New Democratic Zachary Fleisher 1,312 15.39 -10.00 $1,259.50
Liberal Micheal Lazar 1,251 14.67 -1.85 $3,715.32
Green Bob Krul 976 11.45 +6.10 $0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit 8,525 98.52 - $45,940.00
Total rejected and declined ballots 128 1.48 +1.13
Turnout 8,653 62.39 +0.08
Eligible voters 13,869
Progressive Conservative hold Swing +7.88
Source: Elections Manitoba[70][71]

Template:Manitoba provincial election, 2011/Electoral District/Tuxedo (electoral district) Template:Manitoba provincial election, 2007/Electoral District/Tuxedo (electoral district)[72]

2003 Manitoba general election: Tuxedo
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Progressive Conservative Heather Stefanson 4,213 52.81 −7.91 $32,959.68
New Democratic Sonia Taylor 2,023 25.36 +1.56 $992.64
Liberal Marla Billinghurst 1,741 21.83 −14.10 $8,740.56
Total valid votes 7,977 100.0  
Total rejected ballots – – –
Source: Elections Manitoba[73]

References

  1. ^ a b "Stefanson, Heather D., B.A. (Tuxedo)". Canadian Parliamentary Guide. Gale. 2002. pp. 736–737. ISBN 0-7876-6048-5. ISSN 0315-6168. OCLC 1148186239.
  2. ^ "Heather Stefanson: Facts about Manitoba's new premier, Tory leader". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. 30 October 2021. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Heather Stefanson: Findingand Maintaining the Balance" (PDF). Neighbours of Tuxedo. Neighbours of Tuxedo. January 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  4. ^ Sanders, Carol (30 October 2021). "Stefanson wins PC leadership to become Manitoba's first woman premier". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  5. ^ Goerzen, Matt (21 August 2021). "Is Stefanson up to the challenge?". The Brandon Sun. Retrieved 31 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b Sanders, Carol (13 May 2022). "Stefanson cautioned over campaign expense". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  7. ^ "IDA fines Wellington West, compliance officer". Investment Executive. 31 October 2003. Retrieved 8 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "2000 By-election Tuxedo". Elections Manitoba. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011.
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  10. ^ "Official Results — 39th General Election". Elections Manitoba. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011.
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  17. ^ "Stefanson exaggerated ICU capacity during third wave | The Manitoban". www.themanitoban.com. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
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  20. ^ "Manitoba PCs to choose new leader - and next premier - on Oct. 30 - CBC News". CBC News. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
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  24. ^ Frose, Ian (21 March 2022). "Heather Stefanson's campaign donor list a who's who of Winnipeg's business elite". CBC News. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  25. ^ Sanders, Carol (21 March 2022). "Stefanson party leadership campaign powered by big-name donors". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  26. ^ "Stefanson gets cautioned for breaking election financing laws". winnipegsun. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Premier Heather Stefanson breached election finance rule in bid for PC leadership: commissioner". CBC News. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ Sanders, Carol (27 January 2022). "Stefanson admits breaking conflict-of-interest rules". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  29. ^ S, Carol; Modified, ers Posted: Last. "Stefanson reverses course on conflict of interest admission". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  30. ^ Brodbeck, Tom (17 March 2022). "Ignoring question about dead mother to brag about son a callous act by premier". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  31. ^ Sanders, Carol (17 March 2022). "Premier apologizes after being skewered for response to ICU death". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  32. ^ Tom, Brodbeck (18 March 2022). Twitter https://twitter.com/tombrodbeck/status/1504839566166921219. Archived from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. ^ "STELTER: Stefanson's latest gaffe could only prove to worsen approval rating". winnipegsun. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  34. ^ McKendrick, Devon (27 May 2021). "Manitoba ICU patient who died before transfer to Ontario identified". Winnipeg. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  35. ^ "Premier Stefanson says comment about son's hockey game was 'misplaced'". Winnipeg. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  36. ^ "Manitoba premier talks about son's hockey team when asked about woman's death". CTVNews. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  37. ^ "Manitoba premier says the timing of her remarks on son's hockey game was misplaced". The Toronto Star. 17 March 2022. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  38. ^ "Manitoba NDP asks premier to call inquiry into woman's death during COVID-19 hospital transfer". MSN. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  39. ^ Markusa, Marcy (22 March 2022). "Information Radio - MB with Marcy Markusa". CBC News. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  40. ^ a b Brodbeck, Tom (17 March 2022). "Ignoring question about dead mother to brag about son a callous act by premier". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  41. ^ Wab Kinew - Here's the full exchange about Krystal..., retrieved 19 March 2022
  42. ^ "Debates and Proceedings - Legislative Assembly of Manitoba - 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 15, 2022" (PDF). 15 March 2022. p. 730. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  43. ^ Roberts, Dan (6 April 2022). "Inquiry needed into death of Manitoba woman during failed COVID-19 hospital transfer: physician". CBC News. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  44. ^ Marcoux, Jacques (10 April 2017). "Manitoba government contemplates privatizing province-run air ambulances, water bombers". CBC News. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  45. ^ Brohman, Erin (4 November 2018). "Doctors warn privatization of air ambulance may compromise patient safety". CBC News. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  46. ^ "Premier's absence from fair noticeable". www.brandonsun.com. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  47. ^ a b Sanders, Carol (4 April 2022). "March (tradition) break: premier skips Royal Winter Fair". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  48. ^ "Wrong time for a getaway". Winnipeg Free Press. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  49. ^ "Premier Heather Stefanson remains the most unpopular Canadian premier, poll suggests". Winnipeg. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  50. ^ "Manitoba's Stefanson bottom of the barrel again in Angus Reid premiers' rankings - Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca". CJOB. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  51. ^ "STELTER: Stefanson's latest gaffe could only prove to worsen approval rating". winnipegsun. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
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  53. ^ "Speaker rules on premier's absences". Winnipeg Free Press. 21 April 2022.
  54. ^ Froese, Ian (27 May 2022). "Manitoba cannot fall behind other provinces in minimum wage, premier vows ahead of new legislation". CBC News. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  55. ^ "Province of Manitoba | News Releases | Manitoba Government Announces Plan to Increase Minimum Wage to $15 by October 2023". Province of Manitoba. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
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  57. ^ "'It's going to kill': Small business owner concerned about larger hike to minimum wage". Winnipeg. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  58. ^ Bernhardt, Darren (25 August 2022). "Manitoba's weak minimum wage leads to poverty, says report recommending $18 living wage". CBC News.
  59. ^ Silva, Danielle Da (9 June 2022). "Premier on defensive over Pride parade absence". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  60. ^ News, T. D. S. (9 June 2022). "Just Like Pallister, Stefanson Was Also A No-Show At The Pride Parade March". www.thedailyscrum.ca. Retrieved 9 June 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  61. ^ Winnipeg, Pride (9 June 2022). "PRIDE WINNIPEG CONDEMNS PREMIER STEFANSON FOR NOT WALKING IN THE 2022 CANADA PRIDE PARADE". Pride Winnipeg. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  62. ^ "Manitoba premier banned from future Pride events after absence from parade". CBC News. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  63. ^ "Pride organizers upset that Manitoba premier spoke at rally but did not march". The Toronto Star. 9 June 2022. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  64. ^ Updates, Dylan Robertson Posted: Last Modified. "Stefanson shifts gears in effort to leave Pallister behind". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  65. ^ "Province of Manitoba | News Releases | Statement from Premier Heather Stefanson on Meeting with Canada's Premiers". Province of Manitoba. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  66. ^ "Premiers facing off with feds on Arctic, health-care spending - Yukon News". www.yukon-news.com. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  67. ^ S, Carol; Updates, ers Posted: Last Modified:. "Stefanson under fire for using secret email address". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 20 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  68. ^ MacLean, Cameron (16 February 2022). "Manitoba premier trying 'to have it both ways' in messaging on border protests: political observers". CBC News.
  69. ^ S, Carol; ers; Modified, Dylan Robertson Posted: Last. "Premier's letter to PM contrasts with public remarks about blockade". Brandon Sun. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  70. ^ "Statement of Votes" (PDF). Elections Manitoba. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  71. ^ "Election Returns: 41st General Election". Elections Manitoba. 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  72. ^ http://www.electionsmanitoba.ca/en/Results/39_division_results/39_tuxedo_summary_results.html - 2007 results
  73. ^ "Tuxedo — Official Results — 2003 Provincial Election". Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
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