Former Manitoba premier Stefanson joins WestJet board – Winnipeg Free Press

The Calgary-based airline announced Tuesday that former Manitoba premier Heather Stefanson has been named a board member of WestJet Group.

The news came the same day that WestJet opened new direct flights between Winnipeg and the southern sun.

Stefanson's government and regulatory experience will help strengthen the company's relationships across the country, the WestJet Group chairman said in a news release.

The umbrella company includes WestJet and discount carrier Sunwing Airlines, which it bought last year. (WestJet announced this week that it is delaying its planned Sunwing integration until April 2025.)

Chairman Chris Burley said the corporation is pursuing “ambitious growth.” “We are very pleased to officially welcome Heather … at an important stage in the execution of our strategy.”

After the resignation of Premier Brian Pallister, Stefansson won the next Progressive Conservative leadership vote and was sworn in as Manitoba's 24th premier in November 2021. The longtime MP for Tuxedo (2000-24) retained his seat in the 2023 election, but was demoted to opposition status when the PC NDP won a majority.

Before leading the Manitoba government, Stefanson was a senior cabinet minister, sometimes overseeing the province's health, family and justice affairs. He was also a policy adviser to Tory Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. In April, he announced his resignation from the legislature effective May 6.

On Tuesday, Stefanson, 54, called it an “honor” to join WestJet Group's board of directors.

“I look forward to working with the board members to help move the strategy forward,” he said in a news release.

Over the past two years, WestJet has opened a number of direct flights from Winnipeg, including Los Angeles and Atlanta.