Heather Stefanson


Heather Stefanson is a Canadian politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Tuxedo, currently serving as the Deputy Premier of Manitoba and Minister of Families. She is a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba.

Early life and career

Stefanson was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was educated at the University of Western Ontario. She subsequently completed the CSC and FPP designations.
After receiving her degree, Stefanson worked as a Special Assistant to the Office of the Canadian Prime Minister; she returned to Manitoba in 1993, to work as an assistant to federal Agriculture Minister Charlie Mayer.
Stefanson was an investment advisor for Wellington West Capital from 1995 to 2000, and has also been a member of the University of Manitoba's Young Associates organization.

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, finished third. Stefanson was easily re-elected in the 2003 election, with the NDP improving to a second-place status. She was re-elected in the 2007, 2011,, 2016, and 2019 elections.
In 2016, Stefanson was appointed as Manitoba’s Deputy Premier and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. In 2018, she was appointed Minister of Families in addition to her role as Deputy Premier.