Heather D. Stefanson

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Heather Stefanson
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MLA (2000-2003), MLA (2003-2007), MLA (2007-2011), MLA (2011-2016), MLA (2016-2019), MLA (2019-2023), Premier of Manitoba (2021-2023), MLA (2023-2024).

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 Seniors 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. After her party was defeated in the 2023 general election, although she retained her seat, she resigned in May 2024 and was replaced at a by-election in June 2024.

In recognition of her community service, she received a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022).

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: 25 December 2024