Province’s former top-ranking public servant Leitch has new role in Stefanson government

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This article was published 23/03/2023 (898 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson has tapped her former clerk to oversee a set of handpicked projects ahead of the general election.

Former clerk of the executive council Don Leitch was appointed deputy minister of strategic projects, a brand-new title in the Stefanson government, on March 15.

Leitch served as Stefanson’s clerk until he was demoted in mid-January, when Kathryn Gerrard was appointed to the post as the highest ranking public servant in Manitoba.

Leitch was appointed deputy minister for the president of the executive council on Jan. 19 and continued to collect the full, six-figure salary spelled out in his employment agreement, despite taking on a transitional role in the premier’s office.

The job had an annual salary of $180,600, plus $30,000 annually in recognition pay, his employment agreement stipulated.

At the time, the premier’s office said Leitch was serving Gerrard “in an interim transitional role,” but would not specify his main responsibilities or say if the job was full time.

In his new role Leitch will be working “on strategic files identified by the premier, including energy and national trade corridors, where his considerable background and experience will be an asset,” according to the premier’s office.

Leitch, who has significant experience in government and public policy, was hailed as the perfect choice for clerk at the time of his appointment in October 2021. He was also clerk of the executive council from 1988 to 1999 under Progressive Conservative premier Gary Filmon.

The deputy minister for strategic projects is a senior government position responsible for advancing important government priorities, the premier’s office noted.

The order appointing Leitch deputy minister for strategic projects did not come with a change to compensation. His position as deputy minister for president of the executive council was revoked.

In the 2022-23 fiscal year, Stefanson’s executive council was budgeted to cost taxpayers $4.5 million, including $4.1 million to pay management and administration salaries in the premier’s office.

The Tories’ latest budget calls for $4.8 million in spending on the executive council, an increase of $309,000 on salaries from 2022-23.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca