Bonnie Mitchelson (born November 28, 1947) She also served as interim leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in 2000, following Filmon's resignation.
Early life and history
Born Bonnie Bester, the daughter of Henry Bester and Millie Leslie, she was educated at the Health Sciences Centre School of Nursing and practiced as a Registered Nurse. In 1969, she married Don Mitchelson, who has been a politician, having served as a city councillor in Winnipeg.
Political career
She was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in 1986, defeating incumbent New Democrat Phil Eyler in the northeast Winnipeg riding of River East. She was re-elected by a wider margin in 1988, as Filmon's Tories won a minority government.
On May 9, 1988, Mitchelson was appointed Minister of Culture, Heritage and Recreation (later renamed Culture, Heritage and Citizenship), with responsibility for the Manitoba Lotteries Foundation Act. On February 5, 1991, she was also named Minister responsible for Multiculturalism with responsibility for Status of Women.
Mitchelson was re-elected by a comfortable margin in 1990, and again in 1995 and 1999. She was chosen as interim leader of the Progressive Conservative Party on May 29, 2000, and held the position until Stuart Murray She was the only Progressive Conservative MLA to hold a seat in the north of Winnipeg.
She was a supporter of Hugh McFadyen's campaign to succeed Stuart Murray as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, and was narrowly re-elected in the 2007 provincial election.
Retirement
Bonnie Mitchelson announced her retirement from provincial politics in October 2014.
She served as board Chair of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries from April 24, 2017 to December 6, 2023.