OmniTRAX/Broe Quest Series
The Rt. Hon. Edward Richard Schreyer
P.C., C.C., C.M.M., O.M., C.D., B.A., B.Ed., M.A., D.S.S., L.L.D. (h.c.)
Edward Schreyer was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature in 1958 at age 22 and reelected twice. He lectured on International relations at St. Paul’s College then was elected NDP Member of Parliament for Selkirk 1965 and reelected in 1968. He became NDP leader 1969 and Premier of Manitoba 1969-77. The ensuing government enacted, for the first time, law and regulations requiring environmental impact assessment.
He served concurrently as Minister Responsible for Manitoba Hydro precisely at the time major expansion was required, which in turn required choice between constructing major hydro works as opposed to a series of coal and gas thermal generating stations.
His government introduced legislation that replaced provincial Medicare premiums by graduated income tax, thereby assuring all Manitobans of equal and ready access to quality Health Care and introduced Home Care and Pharmaceuticals programs. Federal and other provincial governments developed similar programs soon after.
Ed Schreyer served as: Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief 1979-84; as Canadian High Commissioner to Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands & Ambassador to Vanuatu 1984-88; currently serves as Chancellor, Brandon University, Brandon, Canada.
He serves in various capacities in a number of organizations including Habitat for Humanity, The Canadian Shield Foundation, Sierra Legal Defense Fund, Hospital and Nursing Home care organizations, two Canada-based oil/gas exploration companies and a forest-products company.
Since 1989 he has been guest professor at universities in Canada and Europe: the focus throughout has been on Resource Geography, Energy Economics and Environmental Impact in Global Context. Mr. Schreyer also serves on the Port of Vancouver Port Authority and Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Boards and is Special Advisor on Energy, Science and Technology to the Government of Manitoba.
He is a frequent guest speaker at fundraising and other public events relating to energy, conservation, multiculturalism and heritage preservation.
He is married to Lily and they have four children.
Edward Schreyer can be reached at erschreyer@shaw.ca