Biography

Rosann Wowchuk is Manitoba's Minister of Finance and the province's Deputy Premier. She is also the minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro. She was first elected as the MLA for Swan River in 1990 and re-elected in the 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007 general elections.

While serving in opposition, Rosann held the position of Opposition Critic for Agriculture, Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation, Manitoba Agriculture Credit Corporation and was the Deputy Critic for Rural Economic Development. In October 1999, Rosann was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Food. With her re-election in 2003, Rosann remained Minister of Agriculture and Food and was appointed Deputy Premier. During her time in government, she has also held the positions of Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister Responsible for Cooperative Development. In 2009, Premier Greg Selinger named Rosann Minister of Finance. She is the first woman in Manitoba’s history to hold the office.

She was born and raised in the Swan River area. She and her husband Sylvestor still live on the family farm in Cowan. They have three grown children and six grandchildren.

Rosann has a strong history of community involvement and service. Prior to being elected to the provincial legislature, she was councillor and deputy reeve of the LGD of Mountain from 1983-1990. She also served as chair of the Cowan Soil and Water Co-op and vice-chair of the North West Soil Management association. Rosann sat on several local boards, including the Swan River hospital and ambulance committee, the Cowan community centre, and the 4-H club.