Diversity in focus as NDP’s 34 MLAs, opposition Tories’ 22 swear oaths in separate ceremonies

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This article was published 23/10/2023 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s newest lawmakers held eagle feathers, wore Métis sashes, spoke their mother tongues and pledged allegiance to King Charles III on holy books that included a Qur’an and a Bible as thick as a phone book while swearing their oaths of office.

The 34 New Democratic and 22 Progressive Conservative candidates elected on Oct. 3 were officially sworn in as Members of the Legislative Assembly in two respective ceremonies Monday. Lone Liberal MLA Cindy Lamoureux was sworn-in on Friday.

“Manitobans from all walks of life came together to elect a new government in our province, and I’m very proud of the people for embracing a message of unity, positivity for the future and rejecting division,” Premier Wab Kinew told a packed room of NDP MLAs and their family, friends and supporters at the Manitoba legislature.

“As a result, they elected probably the most diverse caucus, ever, in the history of Manitoba.”

Fort Richmond MLA Jennifer Chen was among a handful of rookie lawmakers whose election was a watershed moment in Manitoba history. Chen is believed to be the first Chinese-Canadian sworn in as an MLA.

She held back tears while reciting her oath, presided over by the deputy clerk of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, Rick Yarish.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Chen said she was overwhelmed with emotion and pride reflecting on the support from Manitoba’s Chinese community, the challenges she faced to make it to the assembly “and knowing that this will inspire next generations, especially Asian women.”

She called the moment historic.

“I’m very proud to be a part of it,” she said.

Métis members of the NDP caucus wore traditional sashes, First Nations members swore their oaths holding an eagle feather, and Burrows MLA Diljeet Brar and St. Boniface MLA Robert Loiselle each recited their oath in their first language, Punjabi and French, respectively.

Radisson MLA Jelynn Dela Cruz also made history at the age of 23. Kinew described her as “probably the youngest” woman to be elected as a MLA. She called the distinction surreal.

“When it comes to our age, young people have inherited a whole slate of challenges from previous generations, and we ought to be at the decision-making table when it comes to discussing solutions to those challenges,” said Dela Cruz, who was appointed legislative assistant to the health minister.

“There’s this misconception that young people are really in it for themselves, but at the end of the day we’re here for the same reasons as everybody else. We want to see next generations that come after us flourish and thrive, and it really is integral that we get involved from an early age.”

Earlier Monday, Tory Leader Heather Stefanson congratulated her caucus members on forming the official Opposition in a ceremony emceed by caucus chair Ron Schuler (Springfield-Ritchot).

“Our PC team is already working hard to hold Wab Kinew and his new government to account,” Stefanson said. “I’m confident that our 22 MLAs will remain steadfast in their commitment to their constituents and to all Manitobans.”

The Tories welcomed 10 new MLAs to their caucus in addition to successful incumbents, including eight former ministers. Two PC MLAs — Stefanson and Schuler — were sworn in for their seventh time Monday; Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen took his sixth oath of office.

Among the so-called “class of 2023” was first-time Spruce Woods MLA Grant Jackson, to whom Schuler gave the “biggest Bible” award for using a hefty tome with gilded edges to swear his oath.

Jackson explained the Bible was a family heirloom dating back to the 1890s and has records of his family history bound in its centre.

“It’s a bit of a bizarrely large Bible, but it’s meaningful to me because my family’s history is contained in its pages,” he said.

Jackson — who has worked in government as a special assistant in multiple ministers’ offices and as a senior adviser to the premier — said he would be honoured if given the opportunity to serve as a critic in Opposition.

Stefanson is expected to announce her shadow cabinet this week.

“I know I’m one of the new ones — as you saw, there’s quite a few of us — there probably isn’t roles for all of us, and that’s OK,” Jackson said. “There’s lots of time, and I’m very excited to be a part of this strong Opposition team.”

— with files from Carol Sanders

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca