 |
Diane McGifford
|
Diane McGifford was first elected to public office in April 1995 as the MLA for Osborne and served in Opposition as the Critic for Culture and Heritage and the Status of Women. In 1999 Diane was elected in the new constituency of Lord Roberts. Shortly after her election, Diane was named Minister of Culture, Heritage, and Tourism; Minister responsible for the Status of Women; Minister responsible for Seniors; and Minister charged with the administration of The Manitoba Liquor Control Commission and The Manitoba Lotteries Corporation Act. In January 2001, Premier Doer named Diane McGifford as Manitoba’s first Minister of Advanced Education. In October 2002 Diane assumed responsibility for the portfolio of Training. On September 21st of 2006, Premier Gary Doer appointed Diane the Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy, the first Literacy Minister in Canada.
As the Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy, Diane believes that education is an instrument for economic, community, and personal development. She is, of course, committed to affordable, accessible post-secondary education. As well, she thinks literacy is an essential ingredient to civilized, healthy, creative communities and is dedicated to improving Manitoba’s literacy levels. Some of her other special policy interests include the prevention of violence against women, child care issues, women’s health, and arts and cultural policy.
Early in her career, Diane was a public school teacher, and after graduation from the University of Manitoba with a PhD in English, she taught English literature and Women’s Studies at the Universities of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg. At the University of Winnipeg, she worked with others to develop a Women’s Studies program. Diane is a published scholar, writer and the editor of two books, with a particular interest in literature of the Indian sub-continent. She has also done research for the National Film Board.
Before her election, Diane was an active community member and served as a member of the Urban Safety Committee for Women and Children, president and founding member of the December 6th Women’s Memorial Committee, chair of the Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre, a member of the Manitoba AIDS Services Coalition and the Women and AIDS Network, an editor of the Contemporary Verse 2, a board member of Carter Day Care and a volunteer at Klinic, the YWCA and Planned Parenthood. She is a former director of the Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre and Kali-Shiva AIDS Services.
