Winnipeg city council is mourning the loss of Coun. Jason Schreyer, 57, who represented the ward of Elmwood-East Kildonan.
Council announced Schreyer’s death in a statement Wednesday morning, calling him a “strong and independent voice in the council chamber” who was “always focused on fighting for the residents of his community and keeping life affordable.” No cause of death was provided.
“He was a one-of-a-kind. He was brilliant, quirky,” St. Vital Coun. Brian Mayes said at city hall on Wednesday.
The son of former Manitoba premier and governor general of Canada Ed Schreyer and Lily Schreyer, Jason Schreyer was first elected to city council in the 2014 general election, when he defeated one-term councillor Thomas Steen, a former Winnipeg Jet.
Schreyer won 55 per cent of the vote in that election. He secured 55 per cent support when he won a second term in 2018 and then 62 per cent when he won a third term in 2022.
At city hall, a monthly council meeting slated for Wednesday was adjourned due to his death and flags will be lowered to half-mast.
Several councillors hugged each other. Mynarski Coun. Ross Eadie called Schreyer his best friend. North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty cried.
Councillors then gathered in Mayor Scott Gillingham’s office, where they told stories, laughed and cried, the mayor said in an address to reporters shortly before noon.
Schreyer was remembered by other councillors at city hall Wednesday for his intelligence, articulate speeches and devotion to public service.
On the floor of council, he raised concerns about a wide array of municipal issues, including food security, community safety and construction inflation.
“He brought an excitement to council. He was very motivated — just just thinking of construction inflation, which he pretty well brought up every council meeting,” said St. James Coun. Shawn Dobson.
Schreyer’s legacy in council was also intertwined with his love for languages. Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface) said his colleague seconded a motion for the provision of service in French in all Winnipeg neighbourhoods.
When it was his turn to recite a prayer at the start of city council meetings, Schreyer — who was especially passionate about music — occasionally sang songs instead.
Outside city hall, he dabbled in many hobbies, and had a reputation as a deep thinker.
“He was fun,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “He was a very talented individual so he is absolutely going to be deeply missed.”
In its statement, city council also praised Schreyer’s “joy and creativity” outside of politics.
“He had a love of music, often being the first to grab the mic at karaoke, delighting colleagues with performances at national conferences [and] sharing his talents in multiple languages at Folklorama,” council’s statement said.
Dedication to public service
The mayor also offered condolences to Schreyer’s family, noting the Schreyers are dedicated to public service.
Before his election to city council, Schreyer worked for NDP MLAs Steve Ashton and Jim Maloway. He retained his affiliation with the NDP and Winnipeg’s labour movement throughout his time on council and often voted alongside other left-of-centre elected officials.
Schreyer attended outgoing Elmwood-Transcona NDP MP Leila Dance’s gathering on election night, when she was defeated by Conservative MP-elect Colin Reynolds.
Gillingham said the city will commemorate Schreyer, possibly in a manner that honours the late councillor’s interest in food security.
He said he will leave any discussions about an Elmwood-East Kildonan byelection until the future.
The mayor’s office will help Schreyer’s executive assistant, Chris Hurley, manage the additional workload in the coming weeks and months, Gillingham said.
Jason Schreyer, the longtime councillor for Elmwood-East Kildonan in Winnipeg, has died. Many of his Winnipeg city council colleagues are remembering him as a champion for issues like food security and community safety who loved to use his voice.
