“Ms. Neville has long been a champion for the people of her community, her province and our country,” Trudeau said in a press release announcing the appointment. “As lieutenant governor of Manitoba, I know he will continue to make a difference for Manitobans and Canadians.” Neville, a former Liberal member of parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, will be Manitoba’s first Jewish lieutenant governor and the third woman to hold the position. Neville was MP for Winnipeg South Center from 2000 to 2011, when she lost the riding to Conservative Joyce Bateman. He was an opposition critic on indigenous affairs and the status of women. During her time on Parliament Hill, Neville sat on several federal committees, including those on national defense and citizenship and immigration. She was also chair of the Committee on the Status of Women and vice-chair of the Canada Israel Inter-Parliamentary Group. He spent over a decade working in education, including as a board member and chair of the Winnipeg school district. Neville has also campaigned for women’s equality in politics. He currently sits on a board for the Jewish Heritage Center of Western Canada and the Interfaith Immigration Council of Manitoba. Manitoba Premier Heather Stephenson welcomed the lieutenant governor in a statement Monday, adding that she believes Neville will be “wonderful” in the role. Janice Filmon, the current lieutenant governor, suggested last fall that she would step down. Stefanson thanked Philmon for her service, kindness and her “unique ability to bring people together to learn and inspire the next generation.” The lieutenant governor is the Queen’s representative in the province. Neville will be responsible for opening legislative sessions with the speech from the throne, swearing in members of the executive council and giving royal assent to all legislation before it becomes law in Manitoba.
