Heather Stefanson

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.

The Honourable
Heather Stefanson
MLA
Stefanson in 2016
24th Premier of Manitoba
Assumed office
November 2, 2021
MonarchElizabeth II
Lieutenant GovernorJanice Filmon
DeputyRochelle Squires
Kelvin Goertzen
Preceded byKelvin Goertzen
Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
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
6th Deputy Premier of Manitoba
In office
May 3, 2016 – January 5, 2021
PremierBrian Pallister
Preceded byEric Robinson
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
Assumed office
November 21, 2000
Preceded byGary Filmon
Personal details
Born (1970-05-11) May 11, 1970
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Political partyProgressive Conservative
Alma materUniversity of Western Ontario (BA)

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]

Stefanson was an investment advisor for Wellington West Capital in Winnipeg from 1995 to 2000. In 2003, Wellington West Capital was fined $13,000 for failing to supervise the activities of Stefanson who was suspended from acting in the capacity of a registered representative but had issued statements to clients indicating her as a registered representative during this suspension.[6] 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.[7] Stefanson was easily re-elected in the 2003 election, with the NDP improving to a second-place status.[8] She was re-elected in the 2007,[9] 2011,[10] 2016,[11] and 2019 elections.[12]

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[13] in addition to her role as deputy premier. In 2021, she took over the health portfolio; Kelvin Goertzen became deputy premier.

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.[14] 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.[15] She narrowly won the race with 363 votes over her opponent, Shelly Glover.[16] Stefanson was sworn in as Manitoba's first female premier on November 2, 2021.[16][17]

Electoral results
2019 Manitoba general election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
Progressive ConservativeHeather Stefanson4,58747.72-10.22$21,522.01
LiberalMarc Brandson2,22523.15+8.61$4,961.95
New DemocraticCarla Compton1,91919.96+4.71$614.25
GreenKristin Lauhn-Jensen8228.55-2.79$0.00
ManitobaAbby Al-Sahi600.62New$2,520.94
Total valid votes 100.0  
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Eligible voters
2016 Manitoba general election: Tuxedo
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
Progressive ConservativeHeather Stefanson4,98657.94+2.48$24,812.05
New DemocraticZachary Fleisher1,31215.25-10.28$1,259.50
LiberalMicheal Lazar1,25114.54-2.38$3,715.32
GreenBob Krul97611.34+8.72$0.00
Total valid votes/Expense limit 8,525100.0-$45,940.00
Eligible voters 13,869
Source: Elections Manitoba[18][19]
2011 Manitoba general election: Tuxedo
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
Progressive ConservativeHeather Stefanson4,83952.74+5.48$27,442.42
New DemocraticDashi Zargani2,33025.39-5.35$1,309.50
LiberalLinda Minuk1,51616.52-5.61$19,553.31
GreenDonald Benham Jr.4915.35+5.35$197.89
Total valid votes/Expense limit 9,176100.0-$
Total rejected ballots 32
Turnout 9,20862.31
Eligible voters 14,778
Source: Elections Manitoba[20]
2007 Manitoba general election: Tuxedo
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
Progressive ConservativeHeather Stefanson3,98247.26-5.55$23,513.68
New DemocraticMatt Schaubroeck2,59030.74+5.38$3,675.93
LiberalAudra Bayer1,86522.13+0.30$8,901.80
Total valid votes 8,426100.0
Total rejected ballots 33
Turnout 8,45960.51
Eligible voters 13,980

[21]

2003 Manitoba general election: Tuxedo
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
Progressive ConservativeHeather Stefanson4,21352.81−7.91$32,959.68
New DemocraticSonia Taylor2,02325.36+1.56$992.64
LiberalMarla Billinghurst1,74121.83−14.10$8,740.56
Total valid votes 7,977100.0  
Total rejected ballots –––
Source: Elections Manitoba[22]

References
  1. "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.
  6. "IDA fines Wellington West, compliance officer". Investment Executive. 31 October 2003. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  7. "2000 By-election Tuxedo". Elections Manitoba. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011.
  8. "Tuxedo — Official Results — 2003 Provincial Election". Elections Manitoba. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011.
  9. "Official Results — 39th General Election". Elections Manitoba. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011.
  10. "Tuxedo - Manitoba Votes 2011". Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  11. "MLAs in Fort Whyte, Tuxedo and Fort Garry-Riverview head back to Legislature". The Sou'wester. Winnipeg Free Press. 25 April 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  12. "Legislative Assembly of Manitoba". Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  13. "Changes to Health, Finance portfolios as Manitoba government shuffles cabinet". CBC News. The Canadian Press. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  14. Bergen, Rachel (18 August 2021). "Heather Stefanson will run for leadership of Manitoba's Progressive Conservative Party". CBC News. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  15. "Manitoba PCs to choose new leader - and next premier - on Oct. 30 - CBC News". CBC News. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  16. Froese, Ian (30 October 2021). "Heather Stefanson chosen as Manitoba's 1st female premier by a slim margin". CBC News. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  17. Malone, Kelly (2 November 2021). "Progressive Conservative Leader Heather Stefanson sworn in as Manitoba's new premier". CTV News. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  18. "Candidates: 41st General Election". Elections Manitoba. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  19. "Election Returns: 41st General Election". Elections Manitoba. 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  20. "Election Returns: 40th General Election". Elections Manitoba. 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  21. http://www.electionsmanitoba.ca/en/Results/39_division_results/39_tuxedo_summary_results.html - 2007 results
  22. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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