PCs Announce Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet
WINNIPEG — Today, the Manitoba PC Caucus announced the Shadow Cabinet of the Official Opposition to serve Manitobans and hold the new NDP government to account. Leader Heather Stefanson released the following statement:
“Over the last seven years, PCs took on the difficult but necessary work to fix Manitoba’s finances, repair services, and rebuild our economy. We laid the groundwork for progress, making Manitoba one of the fastest growing economies in Canada, with balanced budgets and record investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure, public safety, and affordability for Manitobans.
“Wab Kinew and his new NDP government have just a few short weeks to call and prepare for the fall session of the Legislative Assembly, where they will have to explain to Manitobans exactly how they will deliver and pay for their mostly temporary multi-billion-dollar election promises.
“I’m proud to announce and work with a strong and hard-working team ready to challenge Wab Kinew and hold the NDP to account for their unrealistic plans, which will drive up the cost of living for Manitoba families and cause uncertainty for Manitoba businesses.
“Together, we will push the government for real action to ensure Manitobans take home more of their paycheque, keep our economy on track, and ensure our public services continue to receive the investments they need in critical areas like seniors care, addictions and mental health, and public safety.”
Shadow Cabinet:
- Doyle Piwniuk (MLA for Turtle Mountain) — Shadow Minister for Manitoba Public Insurance;
- Wayne Ewasko (MLA for Lac du Bonnet) — Shadow Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning;
- Derek Johnson (MLA for Interlake-Gimli) — Shadow Minister for Seniors and Long-Term Care;
- Bob Lagassé (MLA for Dawson Trail) — Shadow Minister for Mental Health, and Shadow Minister for Francophone Affairs;
- Greg Nesbitt (MLA for Riding Mountain) — Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change, and Shadow Minister for Efficiency Manitoba;
- Jeff Wharton (MLA for Red River North) — Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Investment and Trade;
- Rick Wowchuk (MLA for Swan River) — Shadow Minister for Natural Resources;
- Josh Guenter (MLA for Borderland) — Shadow Minister for Transportation and Infrastructure, and Shadow Minister for Consumer Protection and Government Services;
- Obby Khan (MLA for Fort Whyte) — Shadow Minister for Finance, and Shadow Minister for the Manitoba Public Service;
- Wayne Balcaen (MLA for Brandon West) — Shadow Minister for Justice;
- Jeff Bereza (MLA for Portage la Prairie) — Shadow Minister for Agriculture;
- Jodie Byram (MLA for Agassiz) — Shadow Minister for Labour and Immigration, and Shadow Minister for The Workers Compensation Board;
- Kathleen Cook (MLA for Roblin) — Shadow Minister for Health;
- Carrie Hiebert (MLA for Morden-Winkler) — Shadow Minister for Housing, Addictions and Homelessness;
- Grant Jackson (MLA for Spruce Woods) — Shadow Minister for Manitoba Hydro, and Shadow Minister for the Public Utilities Board;
- Trevor King (MLA for Lakeside) — Shadow Minister for Municipal and Northern Relations, and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Economic Development;
- Konrad Narth (MLA for La Vérendrye) — Shadow Minister for Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, and Shadow Minister for Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries;
- Richard Perchotte (MLA for Selkirk) — Shadow Minister for Advanced Education and Training; and
- Lauren Stone (MLA for Midland) — Shadow Minister for Families, Shadow Minister for Accessibility, and Shadow Minister for Gender Equity.
Caucus Officers:
- Heather Stefanson (MLA for Tuxedo) — Leader of the Official Opposition;
- Kelvin Goertzen (MLA for Steinbach) — Deputy Leader;
- Ron Schuler (MLA for Springfield-Ritchot) — Caucus Chair;
- Derek Johnson — House Leader;
- Doyle Piwniuk — Chair of Public Accounts;
- Wayne Ewasko — Whip;
- Grant Jackson — Deputy House Leader;
- Kathleen Cook — Deputy Caucus Chair; and
- Lauren Stone — Deputy Whip.
The Manitoba PC Caucus continues to pave the way for all Manitobans. The previous PC government made history in Manitoba with the first woman premier, the first Black minister, and the first Muslim MLA and minister. Today, Stefanson is among just four women to ever lead the Official Opposition in Manitoba.
The PC Caucus and Shadow Cabinet represents a well-experienced team that understands the needs of Manitobans, and will be prepared to serve as the Official Opposition when the House is recalled.
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For media inquiries, please contact PCCaucus_media@leg.gov.mb.ca