by on Find an in-depth biography of Jon Gerrard, Leader of the Liberal Party of Manitoba and provincial representative for River Heights.
Dr. Jon Gerrard is Leader of the Liberal Party of Manitoba. He has been a provincial MLA since 1999.
In the election held on May 22, 2007, the Liberal Party won two seats out of 57. Gerrard was re-elected as MLA for the upscale Winnipeg riding of River Heights, a riding he has served since first elected in 1999. Prior to assuming the provincial Liberal Party leadership, Gerrard was a federal Member of Parliament. He was elected as a federal Liberal MP for Portage—Interlake in 1993. He served as Secretary of State for Science and Technology from 1993 to 1997, and as Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification from 1996 to 1997. He left federal politics in 1998.
Dr. Gerrard was born in England and grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In 1967 he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Saskatchewan. He furthered his studies at McGill University, graduating with an M.D. in 1971. He subsequently earned his Ph.D. in 1976 from the University of Minnesota, and a Certificate in Pediatrics.
After completing his formal education, he practiced medicine, eventually assuming the position as Head of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Department at Winnipeg’s Children’s hospital from 1985 to 1992. He also served as a professor at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine from 1980 to 1993 and is a published author. Dr. Gerrard is married to artist Naomi Oberholtzer. Together they have three children.