City councillor Schreyer dies suddenly; colleagues in shock, mayor says By: Tyler Searle Posted: 10:27 AM CDT Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025 Last Modified: 6:34 PM CDT Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025 Updates

Winnipeg’s councillors are reeling after the death of a popular colleague who served at city hall for more than a decade.

Mayor Scott Gillingham announced the sudden death of Elmwood-East Kildonan Coun. Jason Schreyer at a news conference Wednesday morning, saying members of council were shocked when they were informed Tuesday night.

Schreyer, 57, was first elected alongside Gillingham in 2014. He built a reputation as a strong and independent councillor who was passionate about affordability and advocating for his constituents, the mayor said.

“He was a very talented individual, and so he is obviously going to be deeply missed. We are going to be doing all we can to honour his legacy,” Gillingham told reporters at city hall.

“I’ve always appreciated working with him.”

Gillingham said he did not know the cause of Schreyer’s death, adding he spoke with the late councillor’s father — former premier and governor general Ed Schreyer — by phone and extended his condolences on behalf of city council.

“They are devastated, maybe I’ll just leave it at that,” he said. “I offered support. Anything I can do from my office, we can do as a council, to support his family at this time, we want to do that.”

Schreyer leaves behind his wife of 17 years, two sons aged 16 and 19 and his parents.

Ed Schreyer said the family still doesn’t know how his son died.

“He died late (Tuesday) morning at home,” the 89-year-old told the Free Press Wednesday evening. “I still don’t really know what happened. All I was told is they feel it is necessary to carry out an autopsy (Thursday).”

Manitoba’s 16th premier and Canada’s 22nd governor general said he spoke to Jason early Tuesday.

“He certainly didn’t seem downcast or disturbed… he was out late the evening before with some close friends and his brother-in- law and sister-in-law, and his wife. I think they even had their 16-year-old son in tow until close to 11 p.m. … then they went their respective ways. That was the last I know of it.”

Schreyer said he and his wife had two sons and two daughters, but Jason was the only one who followed his dad into politics.

“I never twisted his arm one little bit,” he said. “But on the other hand, I was careful not to dissuade him. He decided to make a run for it in the federal election in 1993 when he was only 26. He ran and he came a very respectable second in the riding of Selkirk-Interlake.”

Council members were visibly shaken as they gathered at 9:30 Wednesday morning for a scheduled meeting required under the city’s charter. Many were seen hugging and speaking quietly to each other. After an opening prayer, the mayor — voice cracking with emotion — announced the meeting would be adjourned until Friday.

Gillingham and other members of council then gathered inside the mayor’s office to share memories about their late colleague, he said.

Schreyer was a close friend to many at city hall, including councillors Ross Eadie, Russ Wyatt, Devi Sharma and Matt Allard, Gillingham said.

Schreyer won his first council mandate with 55 per cent of the votes in a race against Thomas Steen, a one-term councillor and former Winnipeg Jets player. He replicated that success during an election four years later, again capturing 55 per cent of the vote.

During the most recent civic election, in 2022, he won his third term with 62 per cent support.

“I’ve been raised and inspired to believe in the ability of politics and government to raise the human condition for the sake of human dignity, a sustainable environment and a balanced and sustainable economy,” Schreyer wrote in response to a questionnaire published on the city’s 2022 election website.

He frequently mentioned construction and infrastructure costs as among his priorities as a councillor. More recently, he was focused on bolstering food security for his constituents, Gillingham said.

“He would talk regularly about the impact of construction inflation on city costs and it came to the point where we would joke with him,” the mayor said, smiling as he shared the memory with reporters.

“We would laugh, but his greater point was the cost of city services and public services are going up and… he really wanted people to understand the reasons.”

Schreyer sat on the city’s standing policy committee on property and development. He was also a member of the East Kildonan-Transcona community committee. He previously served on the finance and water and waste committees.

Before becoming a councillor, Schreyer worked as a ministerial assistant to NDP MLA Steve Ashton when he was responsible for infrastructure and transportation in the provincial cabinet. He also worked alongside Elmwood NDP MLA Jim Maloway.

Former Elmwood NDP MP Leila Dance, who was defeated in Monday’s federal election, said she saw Schreyer that night.

She said he looked healthy as he joined her, Eadie and a crowd of supporters at Junction 59 Roadhouse to watch polling results come in, she said.

“It just took my breath away when I heard this — I am shocked,” Dance said. “He was so supportive during my campaign. He polled for me during the day. At no point did I think he should sit down or did he look tired.

“He gave me a hug at the end and he said, ‘Take a couple of days and call me, and we will see what the next steps are.’”

She described Schreyer as an “all-round great guy” and an “amazing community-oriented person.”

“There will be a big hole in the community,” she said.

Premier Wab Kinew extended his condolences to Schreyer’s family Wednesday.

“He was a strong voice for North East Winnipeg. My heart goes out to his entire family, friends and colleagues during this very difficult time,” Kinew said in a statement posted to X.

City council published a joint statement expressing admiration for Schreyer and grief at his loss. Some members spoke separately, as well.

“Our political leanings were different, but he was just such a gentle, kind person and thoughtful and respectful which was just a pleasure to work with,” Coun. Janice Lukes told the Free Press.

In a statement on Facebook, Coun. Cindy Gilroy described Schreyer as a calm, thoughtful and committed politician.

Coun. Brian Mayes also posted online, calling Schreyer a friend.

The last time a sitting city councillor died was in 2010, when Charleswood-Tuxedo Coun. Bill Clement succumbed to cancer. Former River Heights-Fort Garry Coun. Brenda Leipsic died of lung cancer in 2008.

Schreyer’s death will necessitate a byelection, but Gillingham said it is too early to confirm when that will occur.

In the meantime, city hall will support Schreyer’s executive assistant, Chris Hurley, as he manages the ward office and responsibilities in the coming weeks. The work includes responding to calls and emails from constituents and managing initiatives Schreyer was involved in, Gillingham said.

Flags at all City of Winnipeg buildings will be lowered to half-mast in his honour.

— With files from Joyanne Pursaga, Nicole Buffie and Kevin Rollason.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca