WAYNE’S WORLD: A glimpse into the life an interim Tory leader

Article content

Raised on a small family farm in the Brokenhead area southwest of Beausejour, Wayne Ewasko says running for elected office was not on his radar until later in life.

Article content

“I grew up around music all the time because my dad had a band,” said Ewasko, who owned a DJ company for more than two decades before being elected and is adept at several musical instruments.

Now, the father of two and former teacher and school guidance counsellor nears the six-month mark as the Progressive Conservative party of Manitoba’s interim leader following the resignation of former premier Heather Stefanson earlier this year.

Ewasko, an avid curler who has competed in six provincial championships, says he was inspired to get involved politically by his desire to improve the quality of the education system after 17 years of teaching.

“I decided to leave teaching when I was loving it,” said the Lac du Bonnet MLA, first elected in 2011 and a cabinet minister in the Pallister and Stefanson governments.

Article content

Article content

Ewasko’s stint as interim leader comes at a challenging time for the party following the two-term PC government’s defeat by the NDP in last fall’s provincial election.

On the current role, Ewasko says it’s an honour and a privilege to be chosen by caucus.

“There’s not a whole lot of time with the family, I’ll tell you that,” he said, describing the summer months. “The focus is rebuilding and regaining the trust not only with party members but with Manitobans.”

With the legislative assembly in recess, the PCs face the daunting task of holding Premier Wab Kinew accountable. According to a recent Angus Reid poll, Kinew continues to be Canada’s most popular premier.

Despite the polls, Ewasko is critical of the performance of the premier.

Article content

“He’s more showman than statesman,” said the Tory leader, who doesn’t hesitate to throw a jab across the aisle.

Ewasko claims the NDP government has no plan to reduce the $2 billion deficit, balance the budget, or build the nine new schools previously promised by the PCs.

He also underlines the need for new long-term care homes in the province.

Looking ahead to the fall legislative session, Ewasko expects a testy affair.

“It’s toxic in there,” he said, lamenting the, at times, hyper-partisanship of legislative proceedings and the longstanding, bitter rivalry between the competing parties.

Still, in the aftermath of the Tories’ disappointing byelection defeat in the longtime PC stronghold of Tuxedo, Ewasko contends he is often a glass-half-full type of guy.

Article content

“Did the loss hurt, yeah … the loss sucked. But at the same time, it was a learning opportunity,” he recalled. “We take the loss seriously and much like the general election, we’re learning from both of those.”

“The nice thing is the glass is re-fillable,” he said.

Ewasko’s tenure as interim leader will conclude in April next year when the party announces its next leader. He is not seeking the leadership and will remain neutral in the race.

Ewasko is excited about the leadership and hopes the race is competitive.

“We’re here for all Manitobans, whether you’re in opposition or in government, and I think the biggest thing is to make sure you don’t forget that,” he said.

Article content