Cameron Friesen
Manitoba Minister of Finance
In office
January 18, 2022 – January 30, 2023
PremierHeather Stefanson
Preceded byScott Fielding
Succeeded byCliff Cullen
In office
May 3, 2016 – August 1, 2018
PremierBrian Pallister
Preceded byGreg Dewar
Succeeded byScott Fielding
Manitoba Minister of Justice and Attorney General
In office
January 5, 2021 – January 18, 2022
PremierBrian Pallister
Kelvin Goertzen
Heather Stefanson
Preceded byCliff Cullen
Succeeded byKelvin Goertzen
Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living
In office
August 1, 2018 – January 5, 2021
PremierBrian Pallister
Preceded byKelvin Goertzen
Succeeded byHeather Stefanson
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Morden-Winkler
In office
October 4, 2011 – February 3, 2023
Preceded byFirst Member
Succeeded byCarrie Hiebert
Personal details
BornMorden, Manitoba
Political partyProgressive Conservative
Residence(s)Morden, Manitoba
Alma materCanadian Mennonite University
University of Manitoba
University of British Columbia
University of Winnipeg
OccupationTeacher

Cameron Scott Friesen, is a Canadian politician and was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Morden-Winkler.[1] A member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, he was first elected in the 2011 provincial election,[2] and re-elected in 2016 and 2019.[3]

Friesen was the Manitoba Minister of Finance from May 3, 2016 until August 1, 2018 and served a second term from January 18, 2022 until January 30, 2023 [4][5] He was appointed Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living on August 1, 2018. During his tenure as Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living, Friesen has faced several criticisms for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6][7] He was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General on January 5, 2021.

Friesen announced his resignation as Minister of Finance in January 2023, and shortly thereafter on February 3, 2023 he resigned his seat as MLA for Morden-Winkler to seek the federal nomination in Portage—Lisgar after Candice Bergen announced the previous fall that she would not be seeking reelection in the 45th Canadian federal election.[8] He lost the nomination to Branden Leslie.

Health minister

In November 2020 he questioned the motivation of more than 200 experts who raised concerns regarding the seriousness of COVID-19.[9] At the time, he claimed he had things under control.[9] After he refused to apologize, opposition MLAs including New Democratic Party health critic Uzoma Asagwara and Liberal Party leader Dougald Lamont called on him to resign.[9]

Electoral record

2019 Manitoba general election: Morden-Winkler
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Progressive Conservative Cameron Friesen 6,109 80.86 -2.2 $12,339.21
Green Mike Urichuk 804 10.64 +0.8 $129.20
New Democratic Robin Dalloo 365 4.83 +1.7 $0.00
Liberal David Mintz 277 3.67 -0.3 $0.00
Total valid votes 7,555 99.63 –
Rejected 28 0.37
Turnout 7,583 51.19
Eligible voters 14,813
Progressive Conservative hold Swing -1.5
Source(s)
Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2019). Statement of Votes for the 42nd Provincial General Election, September 10, 2019 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba.
"Candidate Election Returns". Elections Manitoba. Elections Manitoba. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
2016 Manitoba general election: Morden-Winkler
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Progressive Conservative Cameron Friesen 6,598 85.04 -0.49 $14,748.12
Green Mike Urichuk 667 8.60 – $979.50
Liberal Benjamin Bawdon 279 3.60 0.59 $41.45
New Democratic Elizabeth Lynch 215 2.77 -8.69 $793.14
Total valid votes 7,759 – –
Rejected 34 –
Eligible voters / turnout 15,006 51.93 11.15
Source(s)
Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2016). Statement of Votes for the 41st Provincial General Election, April 19, 2016 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba.
"Election Returns: 41st General Election". Elections Manitoba. 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
2011 Manitoba general election: Morden-Winkler
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
Progressive Conservative Cameron Friesen 4,918 85.53 $20,100.34
New Democratic Aaron McDowell 659 11.46 $0.00
Liberal Daniel Woldeyohanis 173 3.01 $0.00
Total valid votes 5,750 –
Rejected 39 –
Eligible voters / turnout 14,195 40.78
Source(s)
Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2011). Statement of Votes for the 40th Provincial General Election, October 4, 2011 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba.
"Election Returns: 40th General Election". Elections Manitoba. 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2018.

References

  1. ^ "Ministers change duties, one new face after Tory cabinet shuffle". Winnipeg Sun. August 1, 2018. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  2. ^ Manitoba Votes 2011: Morden-Winkler. CBC News, October 4, 2011.
  3. ^ "MLA Biographies - Living". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  4. ^ "Brian Pallister sworn in as Manitoba premier". CBC News. May 3, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  5. ^ "Meet Manitoba's new government cabinet members". CBC News. May 3, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  6. ^ "Toronto doctors slam Manitoba's health minister for saying care home deaths are unavoidable". CBC News. October 21, 2020. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  7. ^ "Manitoba health minister faces criticism after questioning motivation behind doctors' letter on COVID-19". The Globe and Mail. November 4, 2020. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  8. ^ Raycraft, Richard (February 1, 2023). "Former interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen steps down as MP". CBC News. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c "Manitoba health minister rejects calls to resign after accusing 200-plus doctors of 'causing chaos' | CBC News". CBC. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.

External links

Cabinet of Premier of Manitoba Brian Pallister (2016–2021)
Cabinet of Premier of Manitoba Kelvin Goertzen (2021)
Cabinet of Premier of Manitoba Heather Stefanson (2021–2023)
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