Latest news with #Schreyer
Winnipeg Free Press
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Letters, May 5
Opinion Remembering councillor Re: City councillor Schreyer dies; colleagues in shock, mayor says (April 30) Such a hole is left with the sudden and unexpected passing of Coun. Jason Schreyer. I appreciated him as my local city councillor, who was an insightful person with a keen interest in the well-being and empowerment of people. Once running into him and his wife, Sara, while out shopping, our conversation turned to the deep demands on the city budget as he described escalating construction costs, especially for roads. He saliently demonstrated these complexities in a straightforward way — a true gift for any representative. Friends in the neighbourhood spoke of their delight in seeing Schreyer sing beautifully as he supported local Charlie's Restaurant and Lounge on their karaoke nights. In my experience, Schreyer seemed to recognize the power the arts can hold — he was open to creative ideas for the city; he was an entertainer and artist himself. I believe Winnipeg's future lies in its culture, in the strengths and betterments beginning to weave though society, for example, through ongoing reconciliation and coalition of purpose between Indigenous and settler and newcomer cultures, and by way of the arts that bring to us prismatic experiences, insights and delights when art interprets any part of our world. Schreyer, to my witness, was a person who understood these things. He also moved to reverse the easy neglect of marginalization for his constituents. His traction with food security in the Elmwood area was impressive and pioneering and I hope it will continue. Shirley Kowalchuk Winnipeg The Pallister era Re: Poilievre could rebound from U.S.-style misstep (May 2) Tom Brodbeck's article reminds me of a chapter in Manitoba politics a decade ago. In 2016, Brian Pallister replaced Greg Selinger in the premier's office. Pallister's campaign was positive and he came across as a pleasant, middle-of-the-road kind of guy. I thought that his campaign was exemplary. The NDP, on the other hand, ran a campaign that was negative and nasty. It didn't work. Pallister won that election by a landslide and reduced the NDP to a dozen seats in the legislature. The Manitoba election of 2016 was a case of bait and switch. The government that Pallister promised leading up to the election was not the government that Manitoba got. The Pallister government was about as right wing as it gets in mainstream Canadian politics. Rich North Winnipeg In defence of city planners Re: Cell towers, urban planning and frustration (Think Tank, May 1) I read the op-ed by Jerry Woloshyn with a sigh. It's frustrating to see yet another example of personal grievance aired publicly as polemic against the planning, property and development (PPD) department of the City of Winnipeg. I don't mean to pick on Mr. Woloshyn specifically, as his letter is merely one of many instances over the last several years wherein alleged PPD incompetence or skulduggery is cited as the reason for a planning decision that the writer disagrees with. Our city planners are professionals. Their positions can be controversial but are never unreasoned. They are educated, hardworking, under-resourced, and severely misunderstood by, apparently, great swaths of the general public. Their job is to uphold the planning policies, bylaws and guidelines approved by Winnipeg city council. Ultimate decisions on planning matters reside with city councillors, not planners. Planners don't control the timing of traffic lights, or the execution of road construction, or the ugly siding your neighbour might install on their newly built house. In these times of economic uncertainty, affordable housing scarcity and empty municipal coffers, we need our city to be efficient. Without the consistency that good city planning brings, efficiency, never mind sustainable growth, is impossible. I suggest that Winnipeggers dissatisfied with city planning decisions more rightly take their complaint to their duly elected city councillors, who are the people actually implementing them. Your issue is with the rule-makers, not the rule-keepers. Marissa Dudych Winnipeg Word of caution Re: First Nations people rally as federal housing suit heard (May 1) Other than through judicial decisions, Section 35 First Nation treaty and Aboriginal rights — though recognized and affirmed — have not been clearly defined. Canada, as the fiduciary of First Nations' constitutional rights, asserts in its statement of defence to a federal housing class action lawsuit concerning inadequate on-reserve housing that it is not legally obligated or duty-bound to build or maintain such housing. This position contradicts existing judicial decisions that have found otherwise. Health, like many other treaty rights, remains an undefined treaty right. Clean drinking water, supporting infrastructure, and appropriate housing can reasonably be understood as essential components of the treaty right to health. A lack of access to these necessities inevitably leads to challenges in achieving and maintaining healthy living conditions for First Nations people. With respect to the class action, I am not convinced that resolving breaches of treaty rights through class action litigation is wise, primarily due to the requirement of a full and final release to settle a successful class action. This often results in a one-time payment in exchange for the right to pursue ongoing or future claims — effectively limiting future access to the treaty right to appropriate housing. That said, I understand why First Nations leadership has chosen to seek a judicial resolution to the dire housing crisis in their communities. My word of caution is this: proceed carefully. Kenneth B. Young Winnipeg Destructive rhetoric Re: Alberta Premier Smith congratulates Carney, warns him against future 'hostile acts' (April 29) Alberta's leader, Danielle Smith, threatens secession as separatists from Quebec do, if their provincial wants are not met. Prime Minister Mark Carney has countrywide responsibility to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. These Canadians, suffering from generational discriminations, work to protect the environment. Separatist groups will create enormous horrid damages for self-entitled wealth. Education regarding consequences of destructive actions is needed in schools. Patrick Mason Ottawa, Ont. Convenience matters It was with dismay that I read (in very small print) on the bus stop sign outside my apartment that the bus would no longer be available by the end of June at this stop. It will be moved a block away. Whoever made this decision did not take into account the many apartments near this stop. Residents of these apartments depend on this service just outside our doors. Many folks using this service use canes, walkers and, yes, even wheelchairs and many seniors live in these blocks and this change will greatly impact their travel plans immensely. I was told these changes were implemented to provide faster service. In my humble opinion I think convenience is more important to the majority of our citizens than speed. I trust the powers that be will revisit these decisions and not wait until 2026 to review these changes. Betty Clark Winnipeg Questioning tradition Re: In defence of facts and farmers (Think Tank, April 28) I find it rather hard to believe Sen. Don Plett's claim that horses are part of the culinary tradition of one billion people in 77 countries. Sure, a few people in Quebec eat horse meat. I've never seen it on the menu anywhere else in Canada. I sure as heck would not eat it. And I certainly wouldn't call it a Canadian culinary tradition. I wonder what ties the senator has to the horsemeat export trade that he is so intent on protecting it. I am sure that if there was a referendum in Canada, we would vastly vote to abolish it. Mel Ransom Ottawa, Ont.
Winnipeg Free Press
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Late councillor honoured before meeting
Days after his sudden death, a City of Winnipeg flag, a rose in a vase and a photo of Jason Schreyer were placed at the late politician's desk in council chambers before a meeting. A monthly city council meeting required under the city's charter was adjourned shortly after it started Wednesday morning and rescheduled to Friday because of Schreyer's death Tuesday. Council members were told Tuesday night that Schreyer, the councillor for Elmwood-East Kildonan, had died. The council meeting Friday opened with a prayer in Schreyer's honour, followed by a motion of condolence and colleagues sharing memories. JOYANNE PURSAGA / FREE PRESS Schreyer, 57, was elected in 2014 and re-elected twice. '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,' Mayor Scott Gillingham told reporters at city hall Wednesday. Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. Ed Schreyer, the late councillor's father and a former premier and governor general, told the Free Press on Wednesday he doesn't know how his son died. fpcity@
Winnipeg Free Press
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Popular councillor passionate about people, performing away from city hall
Coun. Jason Schreyer was a man of many songs, with a great desire to sing them. On Wednesday, several political colleagues remembered the late Elmwood-East Kildonan councillor's eagerness to grab a microphone and belt out a tune, sometimes in more than one language. 'He was such a great dancer, great singer and such a great spirit. I was blown away at the talent he had,' said Coun. Vivian Santos. IAN MCCAUSLAND PHOTO Councillors Jason Schreyer and Ross Eadie ride a tandem bike together. IAN MCCAUSLAND PHOTO Councillors Jason Schreyer and Ross Eadie ride a tandem bike together. Santos (Point Douglas) fondly recalled performing in a karaoke trio with Schreyer and Coun. Ross Eadie at a Federation of Canadian Municipalities event, where the group took the stage as 'Sister Santos and the Councillor Brothers.' Schreyer regularly impressed council members through such performances, sometimes even singing the opening prayer at city council meetings, she noted. In a written statement, Coun. Russ Wyatt said he sang with Schreyer at a downtown nightclub about three weeks ago. 'Jason always… made (Eadie) and I look like the amateur singers we are. But Jason would never let us think it,' said Wyatt (Transcona). Schreyer was a 'very humble' person who repeatedly also used his voice to raise concerns about the rising cost of construction and how it strained the city's budget, refusing to be silenced when others suggested he might be off topic, said Wyatt. 'I'm really going to miss him. He was a fantastic work colleague but more importantly he was my friend, a lifelong friend,' said Wyatt, who declined an interview request. Eadie (Mynarski) briefly described Schreyer as his 'best friend' Wednesday, telling reporters the loss 'deeply hurts,' before his voice trailed off. He declined further comment. 'I'm really going to miss him. He was a fantastic work colleague but more importantly he was my friend, a lifelong friend.'–Russ Wyatt Coun. Janice Lukes said Schreyer once impressed her with his dancing ability at Folklorama's Indian pavilion. 'He was part of the show, and he was dancing Bhangra better than the women. It was crazy. And he sings and knew multiple languages. It was an incredible experience working with him,' said Lukes (Waverley West.) Mayor Scott Gillingham also highlighted Schreyer's ability to perform. 'Outside of city hall, he was fun, a lot of fun, creative…. He was often the first one to grab a mic at karaoke and sing. And he could sing. He had a great voice,' said Gillingham, noting Schreyer regularly sang at Folklorama and other events. SUPPLIED Councillors Ross Eadie, Russ Wyatt and Jason Schreyer. SUPPLIED Councillors Ross Eadie, Russ Wyatt and Jason Schreyer. Gillingham said the councillor was a passionate advocate for ensuring Winnipeggers could afford city services and had hoped to improve food distribution to people who couldn't afford groceries. Steve Ashton, a former Thompson MLA and longtime NDP cabinet minister, said he knew Schreyer before hiring him as his ministerial assistant. He remembered an NDP convention in 1987 when he and Schreyer were finalists in a 'twist' dance competition. Schreyer had a love for music, life and people, Ashton said. 'He always had that sense of politics and public service,' he said. 'What was very noticeable that time in our work relationship is just how good he was in connecting with people. When he decided to run for city council, I had a chance to volunteer with him, and our family did. It just struck me that this was, you know, Jason's true calling…. He could be standing up in city council, during the day, being a strong voice for his area. Later on, you might catch him at a cultural event — the first one at the mic, connecting with people,' said Ashton. Several elected officials said they were shocked and saddened by the death. 'Of course, we're devastated…. He brought an excitement to council. He was very motivated just thinking of construction inflation, which he pretty well brought up every council meeting. It's going to be missed,' said Coun. Shawn Dobson (St. James). St. Vital Coun. Brian Mayes remembered Schreyer as a one-of-a-kind man, describing his passing as a 'nasty shock.' 'Of course, we're devastated…. He brought an excitement to council.'–Shawn Dobson 'He had brilliant thoughts on energy issues. I think (he) educated a lot of people around here,' said Mayes. Schreyer spoke multiple languages, was fluent in French and voted to help ensure access to city services is provided in Canada's other official language throughout Winnipeg, said Coun. Matt Allard. 'I think we're all still in shock,' said Allard (St. Boniface) 'He seemed perfectly healthy and now he's gone.' Schreyer was 'really passionate' about the community, said Coun. Cindy Gilroy. 'He was always very happy and very cheerful. He always wanted to understand the issues, ask a lot of really great questions,' said Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre). During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. In a statement, Coun. Devi Sharma remembered Schreyer as a 'kind and compassionate soul' who was dedicated to representing residents of his ward. 'He knew how to bring joy to his interactions with colleagues and (the) public. He will be missed by all of us,' said Sharma (Old Kildonan). Coun. Markus Chambers agreed. 'He was definitely a light that brought us all together as council,' said Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River). — With files from Carol Sanders and Nicole Buffie X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBC
30-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Winnipeg Coun. Jason Schreyer dead at 57
Council adjourns monthly meeting following passing of Elmwood-East Kildonan councillor City council is mourning the loss of Coun. Jason Schreyer, 57, who represented the Winnipeg ward of Elmwood-East Kildonan. Council announced the councillor's death in a statement Wednesday morning, calling him a "strong and independent voice in the council chamber" who was "always focused on fighting for the residents of his community and keeping life affordable." The son of former Manitoba premier and governor general of Canada Ed Schreyer and Lily Schreyer, Jason Schreyer was first elected to city council in the 2014 general election, when he defeated one-term councillor Thomas Steen, a former Winnipeg Jet. Schreyer won 55 per cent of the vote in that election. He secured 55 per cent support when he won a second term in 2018 and then 62 per cent when he won a third term in 2022. On the floor of council, he raised concerns about a wide array of municipal issues, including food security, community safety and construction inflation. When it was his turn to recite a prayer at the start of city council meetings, Schreyer occasionally sang songs instead. At city hall, a monthly council meeting slated for Wednesday was adjourned due to his death and flags will be lowered to half-mast. Several councillors hugged each other. Mynarski Coun. Ross Eadie called Schreyer his best friend. North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty cried. Councillors then gathered in Mayor Scott Gillingham's office, where they told stories, laughed and cried, the mayor said in an address to reporters shortly before noon. Gillingham said all of council was shocked by the death of their colleague. The mayor offered condolences to Schreyer's family, noting the Schreyers are dedicated to public service. Schreyer worked for NDP MLAs Steve Ashton and Jim Maloway before his election to city council. Schreyer retained his affiliation with the NDP and Winnipeg's labour movement throughout his time on council and often voted alongside other left-of-centre elected officials. Schreyer attended outgoing Elmwood-Transcona NDP MP Leila Dance's gathering on election night, when she was defeated by Conservative MP-elect Colin Reynolds. In its statement, city council also praised Schreyer's "joy and creativity" outside of politics. "He had a love of music, often being the first to grab the mic at karaoke, delighting colleagues with performances at national conferences [and] sharing his talents in multiple languages at Folklorama," council said. "He was fun," Gillingham said. "He was a very talented individual so he is absolutely going to be deeply missed." The mayor said the city will commemorate Schreyer, possibly in a manner that honours the late councillor's interest in food security. The mayor's office will help Schreyer's executive assistant, Chris Hurley, manage the additional workload in the coming weeks and months, Gillingham said. The mayor said he will leave any discussions about an Elmwood-East Kildonan byelection until the future. Corrections:
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jason Schreyer dies, Winnipeg mourns the loss of Councillor
Winnipeg mourns the loss of Councillor Jason Schreyer, remembered for his unwavering dedication to his constituents and his vibrant personality. From advocating for community needs to sharing his love of music, Schreyer left a lasting impact on City Council and the people of Elmwood-East Kildon Winnipeg mourns the loss of Councillor Jason Schreyer, a dedicated advocate for his community and a man remembered for his passion, both in politics and his love of music Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Winnipeggers are remembering Councillor Jason Schreyer , who died Tuesday (April 29), not just as a politician , but as a passionate voice for his community and a man of diverse of his passing has reverberated through City Hall and across the ward of Elmwood-East Kildonan , which he served for nearly a who knew him speak of a dedicated advocate, someone who consistently championed the needs of his constituents. City Council 's statement acknowledged this, describing the 57-year-old Schreyer as "always focused on fighting for the residents of his community and keeping life affordable" and a "strong and independent voice in the council chamber."Schreyer's commitment to public service was evident throughout his being elected to City Council, he worked for NDP MLAs Steve Ashton and Jim Maloway. His political roots ran deep, as the son of former Manitoba premier and governor general Ed Schreyer and Lily entry into municipal politics came in 2014, when he won the Elmwood-East Kildonan seat, defeating incumbent Thomas connection with the community only strengthened over the years, as reflected in his increasing support in subsequent elections. He won 55 per cent of the vote in 2014 and 2018, and that number grew to 62 per cent in City Hall, Schreyer tackled a wide range of issues, including food security, community safety, and the rising costs of colleagues also witnessed a different side of him during council meetings. Instead of the traditional prayer, Schreyer would often share his love of music by singing political affiliations remained close to his heart as he was seen attending outgoing Elmwood-Transcona NDP MP Leila Dance's gathering on election night, when she was defeated by Conservative MP-elect Colin the political arena, Schreyer was known for his vibrant personality and artistic spirit. The city council's statement highlighted his "joy and creativity," recalling his love of music and his willingness to share his talents."He had a love of music, often being the first to grab the mic at karaoke, delighting colleagues with performances at national conferences and sharing his talents in multiple languages at Folklorama," the statement Scott Gillingham is expected to address Schreyer's death later today (April 30), and the city will lower its flags to half-mast in his honor. The monthly council meeting that was scheduled for April 30 has been is the story of a dedicated city councillor, a passionate advocate, and a man who brought both a strong voice and a song to the heart of Winnipeg
