Cameron Friesen
Birth placeMorden, Manitoba
OfficeManitoba Minister of Finance
Term startJanuary 18, 2022
Term endJanuary 30, 2023
PremierHeather Stefanson
PredecessorScott Fielding
SuccessorCliff Cullen
Term start 1May 3, 2016
Term end 1August 1, 2018
Premier 1Brian Pallister
Predecessor 1Greg Dewar
Successor 1Scott Fielding
Office 2Manitoba Minister of Justice and Attorney General
Term start 2January 5, 2021
Term end 2January 18, 2022
Premier 2Brian Pallister
Kelvin Goertzen
Heather Stefanson
Predecessor 2Cliff Cullen
Successor 2Kelvin Goertzen
Office 3Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living
Term start 3August 1, 2018
Term end 3January 5, 2021
Premier 3Brian Pallister
Predecessor 3Kelvin Goertzen
Successor 3Heather Stefanson
Office 4Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Morden-Winkler
Term start 4October 4, 2011
Term end 4February 3, 2023
Predecessor 4First Member
Successor 4Carrie Hiebert
PartyProgressive Conservative
OccupationTeacher
Alma materCanadian Mennonite University
University of Manitoba
University of British Columbia
University of Winnipeg

Cameron Scott Friesen is a Canadian politician and was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Morden-Winkler.[1] A member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, he was first elected in the 2011 provincial election,[2] and re-elected in 2016 and 2019.[3]

Friesen was the Manitoba Minister of Finance from May 3, 2016 until August 1, 2018 and served a second term from January 18, 2022 until January 30, 2023.[4][5] He was appointed Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living on August 1, 2018. During his tenure as Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living, Friesen has faced several criticisms for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6][7] He was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General on January 5, 2021.

Friesen announced his resignation as Minister of Finance in January 2023, and shortly thereafter on February 3, 2023 he resigned his seat as MLA for Morden-Winkler to seek the federal nomination in Portage—Lisgar after Candice Bergen announced the previous fall that she would not be seeking reelection in the 45th Canadian federal election.[8] He lost the nomination to Branden Leslie.

Health minister

In November 2020 he questioned the motivation of more than 200 experts who raised concerns regarding the seriousness of COVID-19.[9] At the time, he claimed he had things under control.[9] After he refused to apologize, opposition MLAs including New Democratic Party health critic Uzoma Asagwara and Liberal Party leader Dougald Lamont called on him to resign.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Ministers change duties, one new face after Tory cabinet shuffle". Winnipeg Sun. August 1, 2018. Archived October 25, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  2. ^ Manitoba Votes 2011: Morden-Winkler. CBC News, October 4, 2011.
  3. ^ "MLA Biographies - Living". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Archived April 14, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  4. ^ "Brian Pallister sworn in as Manitoba premier". CBC News. May 3, 2016. Archived December 20, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  5. ^ "Meet Manitoba's new government cabinet members". CBC News. May 3, 2016. Archived December 20, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
  6. ^ "Toronto doctors slam Manitoba's health minister for saying care home deaths are unavoidable". CBC News. October 21, 2020. Archived November 5, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  7. ^ "Manitoba health minister faces criticism after questioning motivation behind doctors' letter on COVID-19". The Globe and Mail. November 4, 2020. Archived November 11, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  8. ^ Raycraft, Richard (February 1, 2023). "Former interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen steps down as MP". CBC News. Archived February 1, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  9. ^ "Manitoba health minister rejects calls to resign after accusing 200-plus doctors of 'causing chaos' | CBC News". CBC. Archived December 13, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 December 2020.