Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation

Ron Lemieux Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation

Ron Lemieux was an educator for over 14 years prior to his 1999 election to the Legislature as the MLA for La Verendrye.

Ron earned his BA and BEd from the University of Winnipeg. He also completed Post Baccalaureate Certification in Education from the University of Manitoba.

Before becoming an educator Ron worked as a recreation director.  He was also employed as a provincial civil servant and brings with him an intimate knowledge of how government works.

Ron´s community involvement has included coaching and serving as volunteer Vice-President of the Lorette Sports Centre.  As a teacher advocate he held a number of positions in his teacher’s association.

On September 21, 2006 Premier Gary Doer appointed Ron Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation.  Previously he was Minister of Transportation and Government Services, Minister of Education and Youth, Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism and the Minister responsible for Sport as well as the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs.

Since 1999 the Manitoba Government has focused on addressing the infrastructure needs of our hospitals, schools, universities and colleges.  The new department of Infrastructure and Transportation will better coordinate infrastructure investments as the focus turns to rebuilding roads and highways.

Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation is responsible for managing the provinces major infrastructure projects and programs including highways, the Red River Floodway, the Water Services Board, the Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure programs and the Building Manitoba Fund.

In September 2006, the province announced an additional $300 million investment in highway capital and maintenance over the next two budget years, increasing annual provincial highway investments to almost $400 million a year - a 50% increase - and $2 billion over the next five years.

One of the key initiatives under the Infrastructure and Transportation portfolio is the Manitoba International Gateway Strategy (MIGS).  The MIGS vision is one of a Manitoba International Gateway as a sustainable transportation and distribution gateway of choice for North American mid-continent global commerce and international travel.  The concept behind the vision is to build upon Manitoba´s strategic gateway attributes, including our central geographic location in relation to domestic, continental and newly developing global supply chains and our extensive and uniquely positioned transportation and distribution assets and services.

Ron and his wife Val have lived near Lorette for over 30 years. They have three children attending university in Manitoba.