View From the Legislature

This week it was announced that former Member of Parliament, Anita Neville, will become the next Lieutenant Governor (LG) of the Province of Manitoba. I join the many Manitobans who have already extended their best wishes to Ms. Neville on her appointment and wish her well when she officially takes on the role in the weeks ahead.

With this announcement, it is appropriate to also take time to reflect upon the service of the outgoing Lieutenant Governor, Her Honour Janice Filmon. Mrs. Filmon was appointed to the role in June of 2015 and will be among the longest serving Lieutenant Governors in the history of our province when her tenure comes to an end in the weeks ahead. She has served through difficult political times, through difficult global times and through her own difficult health challenges. And through each of those challenges she has served with distinction.

The role of LG if very important from a constitutional perspective ensuring a duly constituted government is always in place in Manitoba. But it is also a very ceremonial role that finds its definition largely in how the office holder of the day shapes it. For Janice Filmon, she saw the role truly as an ambassador for all that Manitoba is. She opened the house of the Lieutenant Governor to thousands of Manitobans from all walks of life. She travelled the province to countless communities engaging with residents. And in her most remarkable way, she made every person she met feel heard, unique, valued, and special. This is who Janice Filmon has always been and it has been a gift she has shared with Manitobans as Lieutenant Governor.

When I was selected as interim Premier last year, I quickly had to decide how my swearing in ceremony would take place. I wanted it to be a small event with only my family because I understood that the way I had achieved the office, by selection of my Caucus colleagues, was not the traditional way one becomes Premier. So, I wanted it to be a very modest ceremony. I asked that it be held at the Lieutenant Governor’s house both because she was doing the official swearing in, and because I knew that she would make each of my family members who were attending feel as comfortable as possible in a pretty unique time. And true to form, she welcomed each one with a grace and a gentleness that has become her trademark. She made each of them feel that her home was their home for that morning. For that, I personally will always be grateful.

The Filmon name was well known before Janice Filmon became Manitoba’s Lieutenant Governor. Her husband Gary spent more than a decade as Premier and there were certainly some in political circles who did not initially applaud her appointment as LG. It is telling however that during the past two sessions of the Manitoba Legislature, Mrs. Filmon has received standing ovations in the Legislative Assembly from all MLAs, representing each of the political parties.

In the way she conducted herself in her role, she touched the hearts of Manitobans and proved that she was not only the right fit for the job of Lieutenant Governor but set the standard for all those who will hold the office in the future.