Stan Struthers

Stan Struthers (born 1959)[1] is a Manitoba politician and a former member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for the New Democratic Party (NDP).[2] He served in the legislature from 1995 to 2016, holding various cabinet positions in the governments of Gary Doer and Greg Selinger during his tenure. He did not seek re-election in the 2016 general election. In February 2018, he apologized after five former colleagues brought allegations of inappropriate touching over many years.[3]

Stan Struthers
Minister of Municipal Government
In office
October 18, 2013 – November 3, 2014
PremierGreg Selinger
Preceded byRon Lemieux
Succeeded byDrew Caldwell
Manitoba Minister of Finance
In office
October 19, 2011 – October 18, 2013
PremierGreg Selinger
Preceded byRosann Wowchuk
Succeeded byJennifer Howard
Manitoba Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
In office
November 3, 2009 – January 13, 2012
PremierGreg Selinger
Preceded byRosann Wowchuk
Succeeded byRon Kostyshyn
Manitoba Minister of Conservation
In office
November 4, 2003 – November 3, 2009
PremierGary Doer
Greg Selinger
Preceded bySteve Ashton
Succeeded byBill Blaikie
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
In office
October 4, 2011 – April 19, 2016
Preceded byconstituency recreated
Succeeded byBrad Michaleski
ConstituencyDauphin
In office
September 21, 1999 – October 4, 2011
Preceded bynew constituency
Succeeded byconstituency abolished
ConstituencyDauphin—Roblin
In office
April 25, 1995 – September 21, 1999
Preceded byJohn Plohman
Succeeded byconstituency abolished
ConstituencyDauphin
Personal details
Political partyManitoba New Democratic Party
Alma materBrandon University
University of Manitoba
OccupationTeacher

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 Masters 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.[1]

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.[4] 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. Struthers was appointed Minister of Conservation on November 4, 2003. On November 3, 2009 Struthers was appointed Minister of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives.[2]

In 1995, Struthers supported Lorne Nystrom's campaign for the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party. In 2003, he supported Bill Blaikie.[5]

He was re-elected in the 2007[4] and 2011 elections.[2]

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.

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.

References
  1. "Premier announces appointment of legislative assistants". Government of Manitoba. November 18, 1999.
  2. "MLA Biographies - Living". Manitoba Legislative Assembly. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
  3. "Former MLA dubbed 'Minister Tickles' apologizes after 5 women allege years of unwanted touching". CBC News. February 8, 2018.
  4. "Dauphin". Manitoba. CBC News.
  5. "Cross Canada Support for Bill". Bill Blaikie, Elmwood—Transcona. Archived from the original on April 1, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  6. "Premier Greg Selinger replaces 5 cabinet ministers in government revolt". CBC News. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  7. "Former MLA dubbed 'Minister Tickles' apologizes after 5 women allege years of unwanted touching". CBC News. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
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