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

Uzoma Asagwara (// ⓘ; born September 23, 1984) is a Canadian politician who has served as the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care of Manitoba since October 3rd 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.

Biography

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.

Legislative Assembly of Manitoba

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]

Asagwara currently serves 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]

Electoral record

2023 Manitoba general election: Union Station
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticUzoma Asagwara3,68170.67+18.44
Progressive ConservativeAaron Croning90917.45-0.55
LiberalIqra Tariq61911.88-6.93
Total valid votes/Expense limit 5,20999.14
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 450.86
Turnout 5,25442.12-1.78
Eligible voters 12,473
New Democratic hold Swing +9.50
Source(s)
Source: Elections Manitoba[17]
2019 Manitoba general election: Union Station
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticUzoma Asagwara2,63552.23+13.3$17,642.20
LiberalHarold Davis94918.81-4.0$4,328.11
Progressive ConservativeTara Fawcett90818.00-1.6$521.28
GreenAndrea Shalay4739.38-4.8$2,067.06
CommunistElsa Cubas480.95$310.80
Manitoba ForwardJames Yau320.63$0.00
Total valid votes 5,045100.0  
Total rejected ballots
Turnout 43.9
Eligible voters
New Democratic hold Swing +8.2

References

  1. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 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. ↑ "Elections Manitoba - Manitoba's 43rd General Election - October 3, 2023 - Unofficial Results". results.electionsmanitoba.ca. Elections Manitoba. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
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