Portage MLA Ian Wishart has been named Manitoba’s next education minister in the new Progressive Conservative government of Premier Brian Pallister.
Wishart was first elected as the MLA for Portage la Prairie in 2011. In addition to his duties as MLA, he serves in a crucial role as the PC Opposition Critic for Child and Family Services.
Ian graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. Before his election to the Legislature, Ian had a long and accomplished career in the agriculture industry as a producer raising cattle and as an advocate through a variety of organizations.
Ian has served as President and Vice President of Keystone Agricultural Producers, on the executive of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, and as a board member with the Manitoba Crop Insurance Board and the Manitoba Water Council. Ian received the Agri Food Award of Excellence for the environmental work he has done on the Alternate Land Use Services (ALUS) program that introduced the principles of Environmental Goods & Services to Canadian agricultural policy.