Heather D. Stefanson

Click to enlarge

Heather Stefanson
Click to enlarge

MLA (2000-2003), MLA (2003-2007), MLA (2007-2011), MLA (2011-2016), MLA (2016-2019), MLA (2019-2023), Premier of Manitoba (2021-2023), MLA (2023-?).

Born at Winnipeg on 11 May 1970, daughter of Diane Mary Holden (1935-2000) and Julian Hugh McDonald, she was elected to the Manitoba Legislative Assembly at a by-election on 21 November 2000, and was re-elected at the 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016, and 2019 general elections. She held the ministerial portfolios of Justice and Attorney General (2016-2018), Deputy Premier (2016-2021), Families (2018-2021), Health and Senior Care (2021), and Intergovernmental Affairs and International Relations (2021-?).

On 2 November 2021, she became the first female Premier of Manitoba following a majority vote of the Progressive Conservative caucus. In recognition of her community service, she received a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002). After her party was defeated in the 2023 general election, although she retained her seat, she announced an intention to step down as leader when a new leader is elected.

Sources:

Obituary [Diane Mary McDonald], Winnipeg Free Press, 17 June 2000, page 62.

Obituary [Julian Hugh McDonald], Winnipeg Free Press, 5 April 2008.

MLA Biographies - Living, Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

We thank the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and Tracey Goncalves for providing a photograph used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 20 December 2023