Archived News Releases

September 25, 2002

Premier Gary Doer today announced the appointment of a new legislative assistant, changes in the responsibilities of two others and extension of the appointments of the other three.

Jim Rondeau, MLA for Assiniboia, is the newest legislative assistant, providing assistance to the minister of intergovernmental affairs.

"Legislative assistants contribute greatly to cabinet's ability to follow through on our key priorities," Doer said. "Legislative assistants provide a wide range of support and are particularly valuable in providing policy advice and in ensuring that the voices of Manitobans are heard in government's decision-making process."

The changes in legislative assistant appointments are:

Jim Rondeau (MLA, Assiniboia) – intergovernmental affairs

Nancy Allan (MLA, St. Vital) - culture, heritage and tourism

Linda Asper (MLA, Riel) – advanced education

Reconfirmed appointments are:

Cris Aglugub (MLA, The Maples) – labour and immigration

Stan Struthers (MLA, Dauphin) – health

Marianne Cerilli (MLA, Radisson) – family services and housing

"We have an extremely hard-working, talented and dedicated team," said Doer, "and the appointment of legislative assistants allows these individuals to gain experience associated with a cabinet position while also providing invaluable support through policy advice and contact with Manitobans in public forums and meetings with citizens and organizations seeking input into government decisions."

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BIOGRAPHIES ATTACHED.

LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTS

BIOGRAPHIES

Cris Aglugub (MLA for The Maples)

Prior to his election to the Manitoba legislative assembly, Cris Aglugub worked for Manitoba Agriculture and Food, providing computer programming and technical support for the provincial soil survey program.

He holds a BSc in agriculture and graduated from Red River Community College as a computer programmer/analyst.

Since coming to Canada from the Philippines 30 years ago, Aglugub has taken an active role in multicultural initiatives and in opposing racism. He has been a delegate and interpreter for the Manitoba Citizenship Council's language bank, and worked on the Winnipeg Folk Arts Council and Folklorama. In 1996, he served as a delegate to an APEC pre-planning conference in Manila.

Aglugub, a past-president of the Philippine Association of Manitoba, helped found the first Philippine Centre in Manitoba and established a community day care facility. More recently, Aglugub helped facilitate a twinning agreement between the cities of Winnipeg and Manila.

Following the 1999 election, Aglugub was appointed legislative assistant to the minister of labour and immigration.

Nancy Allan (MLA for St. Vital)

Elected in the provincial election of 1999 as the MLA for St.Vital, Nancy Allan served as the legislative assistant to the education, training and youth minister. She is a member of the Legislative Assembly Management Committee and was a member of the Task Force on Implementation of Graduated Licences.

Allan has been active in social and political issues for over 20 years. She was elected as a school trustee in 1995 and 1998. She sat on the Amalgamation Steering Committee of the Norwood and St. Boniface school divisions, which amalgamated July 1, 1998. Allan also served as chair of the St. Boniface School Division Finance Committee.

Prior to being elected, she managed Nancy Allan Associates, which provided fund development and strategic planning services to small businesses and non-profit organizations.

Nancy and her husband Neil have two children, Joel and Jessie.

Linda Asper (MLA for Riel)

Linda Asper has served the people of Manitoba for over 35 years with her work in education, public service and the voluntary sector.

Asper has had a lengthy career in public service including a term as a school trustee in the Seine River School Division. She also served as president of the Manitoba Teachers' Society and as vice-president of the Canadian Teachers' Federation. She was a visiting scholar at Harvard University in 1995. She has a PhD in education (administration).

Asper has a strong history of community involvement focusing primarily on matters related to education, children, culture, the arts and women.

Following the election in 1999, Asper served as legislative assistant to the minister of culture, heritage and tourism (1999-2000) and is now legislative assistant to the minister of advanced education.

Marianne Cerilli (MLA for Radisson)

Cerilli grew up in East Kildonan and graduated from the University of Manitoba with BEd and bachelor of physical education degrees.

Cerilli has been employed in recreation, fitness and health, youth services and education. She coached track and field for seven years, and has 15 years experience as an athlete in competitive track and field. She has also worked as a program consultant with Manitoba Employment and Youth Services for three years, helping people find jobs and gain work experience. In this position she managed a volunteer program and created leadership development programs for youth, recreation and multicultural organizations. This appointment was followed by two years as a counsellor with the Winnipeg School Division.

Cerilli is a published writer of poetry, commentary and educational materials. She has served as a board member of the Community Unemployed Help Centre and was a youth member of the Volunteer Centre of Winnipeg for three years. She is currently a board member of the Wee Bairns Daycare and has been on the board of the Winnipeg Folk Festival and the Media Watch National Committee, dealing with violence and sexism in the media.

In 1990 she won a seat in the legislature as the MLA for Radisson. While in Opposition, she served two terms as the NDP critic for housing, workplace safety and health, youth, environment, sports and fitness, multiculturalism and citizenship. Since her re-election in 1999, she has worked as legislative assistant to the minister of family services and housing. In 2002, she was elected chair of the NDP caucus.

Jim Rondeau (MLA for Assiniboia)

Jim Rondeau is a graduate of John Taylor Collegiate and holds a BEd degree from the University of Winnipeg and a post-baccalaureate degree from the University of Manitoba.

A former business owner in both rural and urban Manitoba, he has also worked as a seminar and school experience instructor at the University of Winnipeg, an educational administrator and the adult/work education co-ordinator of the Frontier School Division. He has taught in Norway House and Cranberry Portage.

His contributions to his community include serving on the volunteer ambulance service, coaching volleyball and badminton, and working with other community organizations. He is a committed advocate and volunteer for literacy and played a leading role in establishing 18 adult learning centres throughout the province.

He continues to act as a financial advisor with Merit Wealth Management and serves on the board of Junior Achievement Manitoba.

Since he was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in 1999, he has participated in budget consultations and public hearings on issues including the Disabilities White Paper and Graduated Drivers Licensing.

Stan Struthers (MLA for Dauphin-Roblin)

Stan Struthers was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in 1995 as the member for Dauphin and was re-elected as the MLA for Dauphin-Roblin in 1999. In his first term, he served as the natural resources critic and deputy agriculture critic. He now serves as the legislative assistant to the minister of health.

Struthers graduated from Swan Valley Regional Secondary School in 1977 and later received his BA and BEd from Brandon University and his MEd from the University of Manitoba.

A teaching career that began at Norway House Reserve also took Stan to teaching positions in the Parkland area, including a two-year term as principal of Rorketon Collegiate.

Stan, his wife Michelle, and their son Alex reside in Dauphin. Stan is active in the community as a member of the Fort Dauphin Museum Board, the Rotary Club and as a volunteer for Citizens on Patrol.