Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy

Diane McGifford Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy

Diane McGifford was elected as the MLA for Osborne in the 1995 provincial election, and re-elected in the Constituency of Lord Roberts in 1999 and 2003. She has served Cabinet in a number of capacities: as Minster of Culture, Heritage, and Tourism; Minister Responsible for the Status of Women; Minister Responsible for Seniors; Minister Responsible for the Liquor Control Act; and Minister Responsible for the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation. In 2001, she was named as Manitoba’s first Minister of Advanced Education and currently serves as the Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy.

Early in her career, Diane McGifford was a public school teacher. Following her graduation from the University of Manitoba with a Ph.D. in English, she taught in English Departments at several prairie universities and was particularly concerned with the development of Women’s Studies. She is a published writer and editor, and a former researcher for the National Film Board. As well, she is a former Director of the Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre and Kali-Shiva AIDS Services.

Diane has served the community in a number of roles: as a member of the Urban Safety Committee for Women and Children, President and founding Member of the December 6th Women’s Memorial Committee, Chair of the Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre, a member of the Manitoba AIDS Services Coalition and the Women and AIDS Network, an Editor of Contemporary Verse 2, a Board Member of Carter Daycare and a Volunteer at Klinic, the YWCA and Planned Parenthood. Her grassroots and government work have included a wide range of communities and issues, including violence against women, childcare policy, freedom of information, public safety, social services, culture and heritage, and education.