Stefanson makes senior staff changes

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This article was published 11/01/2023 (713 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Heather Stefanson has to contend with the shakeup of her senior staff as she prepares for the political fight of her life, when voters go to the polls in a fall election her party appears poised to lose.

She announced the departure of the clerk of the executive council as well as her chief of staff, in a news release Thursday.

Two-time top bureaucrat Don Leitch is being replaced as clerk of the executive council by Kathryn Gerrard, who has been deputy minister of economic development, investment and trade since last February, and deputy minister of families prior to that.

Phil Houde, a political veteran who was appointed chief of staff in June, is out. His replacement has not been announced.

The changes are part of an administration “refresh” to “better address the current priority concerns of Manitobans,” the news release said.

“As we begin a new year, it is a time of renewal and a time to redouble our efforts to heal health care and rejuvenate our economy while helping make our streets safer and life more affordable for Manitobans,” Stefanson said in the release.

On Thursday, the premier would not take questions about the staffing changes.

“Details regarding the premier’s senior staff will be made in the near future,” her press secretary said in an email.

News of the shakeup follows announcements that, so far, 10 out of 36 members of the Progressive Conservative caucus will not seek re-election. Three Tory MLAs have yet to announce their intention.

“We’re getting signals that we’re entering a new phase in Manitoba politics,” said University of Manitoba political studies Prof. Royce Koop. “It’s a pre-election phase. The premier is getting her ducks in a row.”

She’s making sure that new candidates are getting lined up and her senior staff is in place, he said.

“With these sorts of staff changes, it seems like not the best time, but it’s a lot better than six months from now,” Koop said.

There was no mention Thursday about the cabinet shuffle the premier had spoken about on Monday, but “more announcements will be forthcoming,” the news release said.

Stefanson, who leads the Progressive Conservative party, hasn’t announced who will run the Tory re-election campaign. “The PC campaign structure will be announced in due time,” the party said in an email Thursday.

On Thursday, the premier thanked her exiting chief of staff, Houde, who had filled that role for Brian Pallister from 2016 to 2019.

Houde was brought in last summer to replace Stefanson’s former chief of staff, Jordan Sisson.

Houde “once again answered the call to provide calm and steady leadership in executive council,” the premier said in Thursday’s press release.

Sisson, meanwhile, announced Thursday he’s seeking the PC nomination in Brandon West, the seat held by Labour Minister Reg Helwer, who is not running for re-election.

The premier also expressed her gratitude to Leitch, a seasoned clerk of the executive council, for his help.

“I extend my deepest appreciation to Don for his experienced guidance during my first year as premier,” Stefanson said.

Leitch’s “reappointment” as Manitoba’s top bureaucrat — a position he held from 1988 to 1999 in Gary Filmon’s PC government — was announced days after Stefanson won the PC leadership race on Oct. 30, 2021.

Leitch, 73, replaced Pallister-appointed clerk David McLaughlin. The appointment of McLaughlin, who managed the PCs’ successful 2016 and 2019 election campaigns, was criticized by some who saw it it as the politicization of the civil service.

Gerrard, the incoming clerk of the executive council, “led important departments, initiatives and organizations including our mental health, homeless and addictions file,” Stefanson said.

“She is also an innovator and a whole-of-government strategist and I look forward to the leadership she will provide in quickly advancing our agenda of renewal, especially in health care.”

Prior to joining the government in 2019, Gerrard, who studied marketing and business administration at Red River College Polytechnic, worked for BellMTS.

“She must have impressed the premier,” said University of Manitoba political studies Prof. Christopher Adams.

“I think they’re looking for new energy and Don Leitch probably figured it was better for him to enjoy his later years,” he said.

The clerk of the executive council has been described as the premier’s right hand, the head of the civil service and in charge of making sure the government runs, no matter what, 24-7.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca