In a devastating loss for Winnipeg’s political landscape, City Councillor Jason Schreyer has died at age 53, city officials confirmed Wednesday. The Elmwood-East Kildonan representative, who served his ward for a decade, passed away suddenly, sending shockwaves through City Hall and the community he devoted himself to serving.
“It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the passing of Councillor Jason Schreyer,” Mayor Scott Gillingham said in a statement that captured the somber mood at City Hall. “Jason was not just a colleague but a dedicated public servant who brought passion and integrity to his role.”
Schreyer, son of former Manitoba Premier and Governor General Ed Schreyer, carved his own political path since first winning his council seat in 2014. Known for his independent thinking and unwavering commitment to his principles, he often stood apart from council majorities on contentious issues, most recently being the sole dissenting voice on the 2024 city budget.
His council colleagues remember him as a man who approached governance with thoughtful deliberation. “Jason was someone who really took the time to consider issues deeply,” fellow councillor Janice Lukes told CO24 Politics. “He wasn’t swayed by political expediency. He always voted his conscience, regardless of which way the political winds were blowing.”
The flags at Winnipeg City Hall have been lowered to half-mast in honor of Schreyer’s service. Council speaker Devi Sharma noted that Schreyer’s absence will be profoundly felt, describing him as “a valued voice who brought important perspective to our debates, even when that perspective challenged conventional thinking.”
City officials have indicated that according to The Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Act, a by-election must be called within six months to fill the Elmwood-East Kildonan seat. However, as the community processes this loss, immediate focus has turned to honoring Schreyer’s contributions to Winnipeg.
Premier Wab Kinew extended condolences to the Schreyer family, acknowledging the deep political legacy they have built in Manitoba spanning generations. “The Schreyer name has long been synonymous with public service in our province,” Kinew said. “Jason continued that tradition with dedication and heart.”
Former colleagues note that Schreyer approached his work with a historian’s perspective, often contextualizing current issues within broader historical and economic frameworks. His academic background informed his methodical approach to policy discussions, where he frequently advocated for fiscal restraint and neighborhood-focused development.
Community members in Elmwood-East Kildonan have begun creating impromptu memorials, with many residents sharing stories of Schreyer’s hands-on approach to constituency work. “He would show up himself when you had a concern,” said longtime resident Maria Kowalchuk. “He didn’t just send staff—he came to see problems firsthand.”
As Winnipeg reflects on this unexpected loss, questions inevitably arise about how to honor the legacy of a public servant who defied easy political categorization. In a political landscape often defined by partisan alignments, how do we properly value the contribution of independent voices like Schreyer’s that remind us of the importance of principled, thoughtful governance?
