Uzoma Asagwara

The Honourable
Uzoma Asagwara
MLA
11th Deputy Premier of Manitoba
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 18, 2023
PremierWab Kinew
Preceded byCliff Cullen
Manitoba Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 18, 2023
PremierWab Kinew
Preceded byAudrey Gordon
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Union Station
Incumbent
Assumed office
September 10, 2019
Preceded byfirst member
Personal details
Born (1984-09-23) September 23, 1984 (age 40)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Political partyNew Democratic
Alma materUniversity of Winnipeg Brandon University (BScPN)
ProfessionPsychiatric nurse

Uzoma Asagwara (// ⓘ) is a Canadian politician who has served as the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care of Manitoba since October 3, 2023. Prior to politics they were a nurse and basketball player. Since 2019, they have represented the Union Station electoral district in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.[1][2] Asagwara is a member of the Manitoba New Democratic Party.

Early and personal life

Asagwara was born in Winnipeg to Igbo Nigerian parents.[3] In 2008, Asagwara completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Winnipeg and Brandon University.[4] Asagwara was the University of Winnipeg Female Athlete of the Year in 2005–06. In 2007 they led the Canadian Interuniversity Sport in scoring with 28.05 points per game.[5] Asagwara was a member of the Canada women's national basketball team for two years and was part of the team at the 2007 Pan American Games.[4][6] Prior to their election, Asagwara worked full-time as a registered psychiatric nurse specializing in adult and youth mental health and addictions.[7] They are non-binary.[8]

Asagwara served as a member of the former Premier's Advisory Council on education, poverty, and citizenship,[9] and as a member of the Women's Health Clinic board of directors.[10] In 2014, Asagwara founded Queer People of Colour Winnipeg,[11] a Winnipeg-based project which aims to promote the rights and safety of LGBTQ people of colour in the city.

Political career

Opposition

In the 2019 Manitoba general election, Asagwara was elected to represent the Union Station electoral district.[1][2] Asagwara, alongside Jamie Moses and Audrey Gordon, is one of the first three Black Canadian MLAs elected in Manitoba.[2] They are also the first queer black person to win a seat[12] and Manitoba's first gender non-conforming MLA.[13]

While in opposition, Asagwara served as the Manitoba NDP's health critic.[14] During their time in the legislature, Asagwara has advocated for recognition of Manitoba's minority communities, and was able to pass a bill marking Somali Heritage Week.[15] In November 2021, Asagwara was re-nominated to represent the NDP in the Union Station riding.[16]

Minister of Health, Seniors, and Long-term Care

Following by the victory of the NDP in 2023 Manitoba general election, Asagwara was appointed by Premier Wab Kinew as Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care and Deputy Premier. In August 2024, they announced that going forward, prescription birth control would be fully covered under the Manitoba Pharmacare program at an estimated cost of $11 million dollars.[17]

Electoral record

2023 Manitoba general election: Union Station
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Uzoma Asagwara 3,714 70.78 +18.16 $11,910.44
Progressive Conservative Aaron Croning 917 17.48 +0.32 $0.00
Liberal Iqra Tariq 616 11.74 -6.99 $6,798.42
Total valid votes/expense limit 5,247 98.93 – $49,273.00
Total rejected and declined ballots 57 1.07 –
Turnout 5,304 42.21 -1.85
Eligible voters 12,567
New Democratic hold Swing +8.92
Source(s)
Source: Elections Manitoba[18][19][20]
2019 Manitoba general election: Union Station
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Uzoma Asagwara 2,635 52.23 +13.3 $17,642.20
Liberal Harold Davis 949 18.81 -4.0 $4,328.11
Progressive Conservative Tara Fawcett 908 18.00 -1.6 $521.28
Green Andrea Shalay 473 9.38 -4.8 $2,067.06
Communist Elsa Cubas 48 0.95 $310.80
Manitoba Forward James Yau 32 0.63 $0.00
Total valid votes 5,045 100.0  
Total rejected ballots
Turnout 43.9
Eligible voters
New Democratic hold Swing +8.2

References

  1. ^ a b Ononiwu, Elizabeth (October 3, 2019). "Black, Queer and Making History - Meet Uzoma Asagwara". ByBlacks.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Bryce Hoye, "Meet the rookies: Manitobans elect 13 first-time MLAs". CBC News Manitoba, September 11, 2019.
  3. ^ "I didn't know I'd make history in Canada –Uzoma Asagwara, Canadian lawmaker". Punch Newspapers. October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Henderson, Rob (September 2020). "Career in Motion: Uzoma Asagwara channels experience as psychatric nurse into new calling as Manitoba MLA" (PDF). Brandon University Magazine. Summer 2020: 14–17.
  5. ^ "Asagwara Named Canada West All-Star". Basketball Manitoba. February 28, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  6. ^ "02 - Uzoma Asagwara - Basketball Manitoba Podcast - Basketball Manitoba Podcast". iHeart. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  7. ^ Wasney, Eva (January 25, 2019). "Asagwara hopes to fill Minto seat". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  8. ^ Kives, Bartley (October 18, 2023). "Gender, ethnocultural representation strong in Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew's 1st cabinet". CBC. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  9. ^ "Announcing: Four New Board Members". Plug In ICA. December 31, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  10. ^ "WOMEN'S HEALTH CLINIC INC. — Charity Data". www.charitydata.ca. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  11. ^ "Meet a Future 40 finalist building relationships — while he builds houses and a new Cree language app". CBC News. November 19, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  12. ^ Hatherly, Dana (September 10, 2019). "Trio of black MLAs make history by winning seats in Manitoba Legislature". CBC News. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  13. ^ "MLA diversity improves, but more needed". Winnipeg Free Press. October 4, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  14. ^ "Critics blast province for lack of preparation as COVID-19's fourth wave looms". winnipegsun. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  15. ^ "MLA Uzoma Asagwara Passes First Bill Marking Somali Heritage Week". Your Manitoba. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  16. ^ "NDP's Uzoma Asagwara re-nominated to run in Union Station riding - Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca". CJOB. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  17. ^ Lukes, Milan (September 4, 2024). "Universal birth control coverage to start in Manitoba". The Manitoban. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  18. ^ "Summary of Votes Received" (PDF). Elections Manitoba. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  19. ^ "CANDIDATE ELECTION RETURNS GENERAL ELECTION 2023". Elections Manitoba. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  20. ^ "2023 GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATE AND REGISTERED PARTY ELECTION EXPENSE LIMITS - FINAL EXPENSE LIMIT" (PDF). Elections Manitoba. Retrieved May 4, 2024.