Schreyer running for re-election

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This article was published 10/10/2018 (2794 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Coun. Jason Schreyer is running for re-election to city council for Elmwood-East Kildonan.

Schreyer, the son of former premier Ed Schreyer, was first elected to council in 2014. Prior to that, Schreyer gained working behind the scenes at the municipal, provincial and federal level. 

“I came directly from the office of (provincial) minister of infrastructure and transportation to run in 2014,” Schreyer explained. “Infrastructure and transportation being a huge issue with the city, so I felt that gave me some good background.”

Growing up in a political family, Schreyer said he had been asked to run for office “every month for 20 years.” But after running federally as a candidate with the NDP for Selkirk-Red River in 1993, and coming up short against Liberal Ron Fewchuk, Schreyer spent the next 10 years working in the oil fields of Alberta and in construction across western Canada.

“I’ve worked in every province of the country,” Schreyer, 51, said. “I think that gives me a solid, well-rounded background in the full-time workforce.”

Schreyer returned to Winnipeg, working first with Abalon Foundation Specialists, and then as an assistant to Jim Maloway. Today, he calls Elmwood home, and his roots in the area run deep. 

“All four of my grandparents at one point lived in the ward,” said Schreyer, whose wife Sarah also grew up in the area. 

In the lead up to the 2014 municipal election, Schreyer felt it was finally time for him to return to the political arena.

“It was a time where we knew we were looking for a change at City Hall, and I felt I could be a part of that change,” Schreyer said.

Over the past four years, Schreyer said he stands on his record “for defending the values of our community against the interests of City Hall” and pushing for a sustainable budget.

“I feel I truly represent the majority of my neighbours here in Elmwood and East Kildonan on big issues,” Schreyer said. “We have to have a sustainable budget in order to have a realistic vision for the city. We did not achieve that in this term.”If re-elected, Schreyer said he would make it prioritize replacing the Louise Bridge over new investment in rapid transit.“We need a new bridge, no doubt about it,” he said. “Bus rapid transit might sound cool, but it’s a short-term solution for our city at a time when our city doesn’t need it now.”

Schreyer admits that while you can’t please everyone in politics, being a leader means sticking to your guns and representing your constituents.

“You do your job, you represent to the best of your ability, and you still get hit,” he said. “But I work Elmwood-East Kildonan, I don’t work for City Hall. I truly believe I represent the vast majority here in the ward, and the vast majority of Winnipeggers.”

Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca or call him at 204-697-7112

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