Educator, MLA (1988-1990), MLA (1990-1995), MLA (1995-1999), MLA (1999-2003).
Born at Winnipeg on 8 April 1942, one of two sons of Norwegian immigrants Olav Martin Olson Gilleshammer (1900-1998) and Karly Kristina (1912-2005), he moved with his family to Erickson in 1943. He received a BA degree from the University of Manitoba and a BEd degree from Brandon University. He taught at Nedrob School (1960-1961) and Sandy Lake School (1964), and was the Principal of Minnedosa North School (1972-1973).
He was elected to the Manitoba Legislature, representing the Minnedosa constituency, in the 1988 provincial general election and was re-elected in 1990, 1995, and 1999. He held ministerial portfolios of Family Services (1990-1993), Culture, Heritage, and Citizenship (1993-1997), Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, Liquor Control Act, and A. E. McKenzie Company (1993-1997), Labour (1997-1999), Minister Responsible for Civil Service Act, Civil Service Superannuation Act, Civil Service Supplementary Severance Benefit Act, Public Servants Insurance Act, and Workers Compensation Act (1997-1999), Finance (1999), and Minister Responsible for the Crown Corporations Public Review and Accountability Act (1999).
He was not a candidate in the 2003 general election and later served as a Special Assistant to MP Mervin C. Tweed. In 2007, he was appointed a citizenship judge. In recognition of his community service, he received a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002).
Obituary [Olav Gilleshammer], Winnipeg Free Press, 30 June 1998, page 29.
Obituary [Karly Kristina Gilleshammer], Winnipeg Free Press, 21 July 2005.
Members of the Legislative Assembly (living), Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 1 March 2022
