Winnipeg Coun. Jason Schreyer dead at 57, remembered as 'strong and independent voice'
CBC
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.
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