Stan Struthers Explained

Stan Struthers
Office:Minister of Municipal Government
Term Start:October 18, 2013
Term End:November 3, 2014
Premier:Greg Selinger
Predecessor:Ron Lemieux
Successor:Drew Caldwell
Office2:Manitoba Minister of Finance
Term Start2:October 19, 2011
Term End2:October 18, 2013
Premier2:Greg Selinger
Predecessor2:Rosann Wowchuk
Successor2:Jennifer Howard
Office3:Manitoba Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Term Start3:November 3, 2009
Term End3:January 13, 2012
Premier3:Greg Selinger
Predecessor3:Rosann Wowchuk
Successor3:Ron Kostyshyn
Office4:Manitoba Minister of Conservation
Term Start4:November 4, 2003
Term End4:November 3, 2009
Premier4:Gary Doer
Greg Selinger
Predecessor4:Steve Ashton
Successor4:Bill Blaikie
Office5:Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Dauphin
Dauphin—Roblin, 1999–2011
Term Start5:April 25, 1995
Term End5:April 19, 2016
Predecessor5:John Plohman
Successor5:Brad Michaleski
Party:New Democratic Party of Manitoba
Alma Mater:Brandon University
University of Manitoba
Occupation:Teacher

Stan Struthers (born 1959) is a Manitoba politician and a former member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for the New Democratic Party (NDP). He served in the legislature from his election in 1995 until his retirement in 2016, holding various cabinet positions in the governments of Gary Doer and Greg Selinger during his time in office. In February 2018, he apologized after five former colleagues brought allegations of inappropriate touching over many years.[1]

Background

Born in Swan River, Manitoba, Struthers graduated from Swan Valley Regional Secondary School in 1977, and later received his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from Brandon University, and his Master's of Education from the University of Manitoba. He went on to teach at Norway House, then became principal at Rorketon Collegiate and later taught at the Winnipegosis High School.[2]

Political career

Struthers was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature in the 1995 provincial election as the member for Dauphin. He was re-elected as the MLA for the redistributed Dauphin—Roblin riding in 1999 and 2003.[3] In his first term, he served as the NDP's Natural Resources Critic and Deputy Agriculture Critic. After the NDP formed government, Struthers served as the legislative assistant to the Minister of Health, Dave Chomiak. Premier Gary Doer appointed Struthers as Minister of Conservation on November 4, 2003. On November 3, 2009, Premier Greg Selinger appointed Struthers as Minister of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives.

In 1995, Struthers supported Lorne Nystrom's campaign for the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party. In 2003, he supported Bill Blaikie.[4]

He was re-elected in the 2007[3] and 2011 elections.[5]

Struthers resigned his cabinet position on November 3, 2014 along with Jennifer Howard, Theresa Oswald, Erin Selby, and Andrew Swan, due to concerns about Premier Selinger's leadership.[6] He remained an NDP MLA after resignation from cabinet. He did not seek re-election in Dauphin in the 2016 general election.

In February 2018, in association with the global Me Too movement, several women came forward with allegations that Stan Struthers sexually harassed and inappropriately touched several of his staff over many years while a member of the Legislative Assembly.[7] During these years, Struthers' staff often referred to him as "Minister Tickles" behind his back. Party officials received at least three complaints about Struthers' tickling and harassment between 2010 and 2015 but no formal investigations took place. Struthers issued an apology for his behaviour in February 2018.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Former MLA dubbed 'Minister Tickles' apologizes after 5 women allege years of unwanted touching . February 8, 2018 . CBC News.
  2. Web site: Premier announces appointment of legislative assistants . November 18, 1999 . Government of Manitoba.
  3. News: Dauphin . Manitoba . CBC News.
  4. Web site: Cross Canada Support for Bill . Bill Blaikie, Elmwood - Transcona . https://web.archive.org/web/20070401195027/http://www1.billblaikie.ca/ndp.php/leadershipsupporters/ctoctocsupport . April 1, 2007 . June 29, 2012 .
  5. Web site: MLA Biographies - Living . Manitoba Legislative Assembly . 2014-07-13.
  6. News: Premier Greg Selinger replaces 5 cabinet ministers in government revolt. CBC News. November 4, 2014.
  7. News: Former MLA dubbed 'Minister Tickles' apologizes after 5 women allege years of unwanted touching. CBC News. February 8, 2018.