Ron Schuler

Ronald Reinhold Schuler is a Canadian politician. He is currently a member of the Manitoba Legislature and a representative of the Progressive Conservative Party (PCs). He was first elected in the 1999 provincial election. and was re-elected in the 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2019 and 2023 elections.

After the PCs won control of the Manitoba government in the 2016 election, Premier of Manitoba Brian Pallister appointed Schuler Minister of Crown Services. On August 17, 2017 he was named Minister of Infrastructure. On December 30, 2021, Premier Heather Stefanson removed Schuler from cabinet for persistently refusing to reveal whether he was vaccinated against COVID-19. On December 17, 2025, Schuler announced he would not seek reelection for an eighth term, but would serve as an MLA until the next election is called.

Personal life and education Schuler was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He attended John M. King Elementary School, before moving to Benton Harbor, Michigan, where he attended Millburg Elementary School in Berrien County. In 1976, he moved back to Winnipeg, where he attended Elmwood Junior High and graduated from Elmwood High School in 1981. He is the youngest son of Wanda and Reinhold Schuler, with four sisters and one brother.

Schuler obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba in 1987, with a major in international relations and a minor in sociology. He was a junior executive at the T. Eaton Company from 1979 to 1984. Schuler went on to become a small business owner, co-owning Christmas Traditions, Espresso Junction Inc., and Gingerbread World Inc. He also served as Chair of the Manitoba Intercultural Council from 1991 to 1993.

In his first term on the River East School Board, Schuler served as Chairman of the Education and Policy Committee. He advocated a zero violence tolerance policy on issues affecting the safety of students and staff. Schuler strongly supported increased technology funding and division-wide upgrades to classroom computers and also strongly supported heritage language programs offered in the divisions.

Legislative service Schuler was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in the provincial election held on September 21, 1999, defeating New Democrat Leonard Kimakovich by 4969 votes to 4058 in the constituency of Springfield.

During Schuler’s first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Gary Filmon, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, appointed Schuler as the PC Caucus Labour & Immigration Critic.

On February 24, 2006, Schuler announced that he would seek the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba. Hugh McFadyen won the leadership election on April 29, 2006.

2006 Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba leadership election

Candidate Votes Votes Vote % Hugh McFadyen 6,091 67% Ron Schuler 1,953 21% Ken Waddell109912%

For a third consecutive term, Schuler was re-elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Springfield on May 22, 2007.

In September 2007, Schuler was appointed Critic for Education, Citizenship and Youth, as well as Caucus Whip by Leader Hugh McFadyen. As of February 4, 2010, Schuler is the Critic for Housing and Community Development and Sports.

Schuler held several critic portfolios during his time in Opposition, including Labour and Immigration, Energy, Science and Technology, Kyoto Accord, the Civil Service Commission, Lotteries and Gaming, Education, Citizenship & Youth, Community Economic Development Fund, Housing and Community Development and Sports, as well as Caucus Whip.

Schuler was re-nominated to represent the Progressive Conservative Party in the 2011 Manitoba provincial election, held on October 4, in the newly created constituency of St. Paul and won re-election.