Biography

Steve Ashton was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature in 1981. He has been re-elected seven times since including in 2007. He was appointed Minister of Highways and Government Services in October, 1999 (later changed to Transportation and Government Services) and Minister responsible for The Gaming Control Act in July, 2000. He was appointed Minister responsible for Emergency Measures in October 2001. In September 2002, Steve was appointed Minister of Conservation and in November 2003, he became the first appointed Minister of Water Stewardship, a department that is solely committed to water issues and is the only department committed to water in Canada. In September 2006, Steve was appointed Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister responsible for Emergency Measures. On November 3, 2009 Steve retained his post as Minister responsible for Emergency Measures and was further appointed Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation and Minister responsible for Manitoba Lotteries.

Steve is a graduate of R.D. Parker Collegiate in Thompson. He received a B.A. (Hon.) in Political Studies at the University of Manitoba and a M.A. in Economics from Lakehead University.

Steve has lived in Thompson since 1967. His wife Hari Dimitrakopoulou-Ashton is a college instructor. He has two children, Niki, the Member of Parliament for Churchill, and Alexander, an instructor with the University College of the North in Thompson.