After 27 years in the political arena, MLA Ron Schuler has decided not to seek re-election when his current term ends in 2027. Until then, he will continue to represent and serve the constituents of Springfield-Ritchot.
By the time of the next election, Schuler will be 64 years of age.
“I think now is the right time to retire,” Schuler says. “I would like to do something else for the last few years of my working life.”
He’s one of very few MLAs with such a long uninterrupted run in provincial politics. Kelvin Goertzen is another, having served 22 consecutive years representing Steinbach in the Legislature. Goertzen also announced his decision not to run in the next election.
In the end, Schuler says, it’s good to have turnover in representatives in order to bring new blood and fresh ideas to the table.
Representing Springfield-Ritchot has been a challenge, he adds, with the incredible diversity there is between communities. The needs from one end of the riding to the other are vastly different.
He adds that both Niverville’s and Ritchot’s councils have been exceptional to work with.
Highlights from his nearly three decades of service include the road improvements to Dugald Road around 2006, resulting in traffic lights in Dugald and a complete bridge renewal at Winnipeg’s east floodway.
As well, Schuler was thrilled to be the MLA to officially open the major interchange at the North Perimeter and Highway 59.
Not to be dismissed are the many big things coming out of Niverville in recent years, including the community centre and high school project as well as Jette Studios.
“The high school, the CRRC, and the movie studio, they give the community excitement,” Schuler says. “I would say the movie production studio was probably the most fun project that we’ve had.”
Working alongside both Niverville and Ritchot has been memorable, he concludes, thanks to the dynamism of their community champions and overall can-do spirit.
Schuler first took office in September of 1999 after winning a tight race for the Springfield riding.
He took on critic positions when the Progressive Conservatives were in opposition, including Labour, Immigration, Environment, Energy, Science and Technology, and Manitoba Hydro and Housing.
In 2006, he served as caucus whip, and by 2016 he was appointed as the minister responsible for all Manitoba crown corporations, including Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, and the Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation. He then became Minister of Infrastructure in 2017.
By 2019, Schuler took on the newly created riding of Springfield-Ritchot and the role of vice-chair of the Treasury Board. He later became interim deputy premier when Kelvin Goertzen took over the premiership after the resignation of Brian Pallister.
His re-election in 2023 marked his seventh consecutive win.