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Uzoma Asagwara
11th Deputy Premier of Manitoba
Assumed office
October 18, 2023
Premier Wab Kinew
Preceded by Cliff Cullen
Manitoba Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care
Assumed office
October 18, 2023
Premier Wab Kinew
Preceded by Portfolio Renamed
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Union Station
Assumed office
September 10, 2019
Preceded by first member
Personal details
Born Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Political party New Democratic
Alma mater University of Winnipeg Brandon University (BScPN)
Profession Psychiatric nurse

Uzoma Asagwara (Listeni//) 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. Asagwara is a member of the Manitoba New Democratic Party.

Biography

Asagwara was born in Winnipeg to Igbo Nigerian parents. In 2008, Asagwara completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Winnipeg and Brandon University. 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. 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. Prior to their election, Asagwara worked full-time as a registered psychiatric nurse specializing in adult and youth mental health and addictions. They are non-binary.

Asagwara served as a member of the former Premier's Advisory Council on education, poverty, and citizenship, and as a member of the Women's Health Clinic board of directors. In 2014, Asagwara founded Queer People of Colour Winnipeg, 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. Asagwara, alongside Jamie Moses and Audrey Gordon, is one of the first three Black Canadian MLAs elected in Manitoba. They are also the first queer black person to win a seat and Manitoba's first gender non-conforming MLA.

While in opposition, Asagwara served as the Manitoba NDP's health critic. 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. In November 2021, Asagwara was re-nominated to represent the NDP in the Union Station riding.

Electoral record

Manitoba general election, 2023: Union Station
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Uzoma Asagwara 3,714 70.78 +18.16 $11,910.44
Progressive Conservative Aaron Croning 917 17.48 +0.32 $0.00
Liberal Iqra Tariq 616 11.74 -6.99 $6,798.42
Total valid votes/Expense limit 5,247 98.93 $49,273.00
Total rejected and declined ballots 57 1.07
Turnout 5,304 42.21 -1.85
Eligible voters 12,567
New Democratic hold Swing +8.92
Manitoba general election, 2019: Union Station
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Uzoma Asagwara 2,635 52.23 +13.3 $17,642.20
Liberal Harold Davis 949 18.81 -4.0 $4,328.11
Progressive Conservative Tara Fawcett 908 18.00 -1.6 $521.28
Green Andrea Shalay 473 9.38 -4.8 $2,067.06
Communist Elsa Cubas 48 0.95 $310.80
Manitoba Forward James Yau 32 0.63 $0.00
Total valid votes 5,045 100.0  
Total rejected ballots
Turnout 43.9
Eligible voters
New Democratic hold Swing +8.2


See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Uzoma Asagwara para niños

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