‘A huge honour’: Steinbach’s Kelvin Goertzen reflects on 22-year tenure

Nothing was normal for Kelvin Goertzen when he watched results roll in during the 2003 provinical election.

As he pried himself away from making last minute calls to voters so he could join supporters at his campaign headquarters, a rush of emotions filled the then 33-year-old when it was confirmed he would become Steinbach’s youngest MLA.

“It was kind of a relief, and it was kind of surreal because, not because we didn’t think we could win, or anything like that. It’s just that it was so different than the life we’d planned literally 45 days before,” Goertzen told The Carillon.

That moment marked the beginning of his 22-year career in provincial politics. Last week, the Progressive Conservative MLA announced he wouldn’t seek re-election, after serving as a former cabinet minister and briefly became Manitoba’s premier.

Goertzen got his start in politics not during that 2003 election, but as a legislative intern in 1995, and then as a caucus communications staffer under former Premier Gary Filmon until 1999.

His first desire was to become a lawyer. After graduating with a law degree from The University of Manitoba, Goertzen started working at Winnipeg law firm Taylor McCaffrey LLP in 2003. He expected that would be his career. But three months into his job, he got word that former Steinbach MLA Jim Penner was diagnosed with cancer and couldn’t run in the provincial election later that year. Goertzen was working as his campaign manager at the time when Penner told him the news and encouraged him to run instead.

“Jim had been nominated to run for the election. He had his election signs. We were in a campaign,” he said. “There were very mixed emotions even now as I think about it.”

Goertzen had 24 hours to make a decision, and after discussing it with his wife, he ran as the PC candidate.

As a teenager, he worked at Penner Foods and viewed Penner as a father figure after Goertzen’s father died when he was 11. That relationship helped him learn “life things” and develop his character.

When his political career began, Goertzen said he valued the mentorship of Filmon, former PC MP Jake Epp, former PC MLA Albert Driedger, and former Conservative MP Vic Toews.

Those figures influenced his approaches to decision making, statesmanship, family life as an MLA, and later as a member of government.

Pasted on Goertzen’s phone a sticker showing “Reagan Bush ‘84,” representing the former U.S. president and his running mate.

Goertzen even named his dog Reagan, a sign of his admiration for the president and his respect of institutions.

“You can challenge institutions, you should, and you can disagree with them, but at the end of the day, there should be respect for those institutions,” he said.

While serving as member of the opposition, Goertzen won successive elections in 2007 and 2013, edging close to forming government but never enough. In 2013, federal MP for Provencher Toews resigned and created a pathway for Goertzen to run federally. Both he and his wife made the decision to leave provincial politics for Ottawa. But after discussing with Toews about what home life would be as an MP, he decided it wouldn’t be best for his family.

“I ended up telling (former Premier) Brian Pallister, because he was convinced I was gonna leave too, that I was gonna stay, and he gave me a big hug, and caucus gave a big cheer,” he said. “I had very mixed emotions about that, but it was the right decision.”

Following the PC’s forming government in 2016, Goertzen oversaw multiple cabinet portfolios, including health, justice, education, and deputy premier.

Looking back, he views 2020 to 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic as his toughest period in office.

“I believe my faith in God gave us the ability to sustain us through that. I feel like I grew as a person, significantly through that,” Goertzen said. “I just would never wish that on society or anybody again.”

As the province went into lockdown, the government’s strategy was to provide reassurance for residents and show cabinet as a united front, he said. But Goertzen wished there was more transparency in the communication with the public and said it could’ve been helpful to inform people about the differences and disagreements in the government’s approach discussed in cabinet.

“I would go to bed and say to my wife, ‘I don’t think we can only do this another day,’ and then the next day you got up and you did it for another day,” he said.

When Pallister resigned in 2021, Goertzen, who was deputy premier, was selected as his replacement. Much like his decision to run for provincial politics, Goertzen’s life changed again in 24 hours when he received word Pallister stepped down.

A caucus meeting was held and the members voted to have Goertzen become premier. He still views it as a “huge honour.”

“There is something to be said for your own colleagues saying, ‘We think you’re the right person to do this,’” he said.

Goertzen points the 2017 expansion at Steinbach’s Rest Haven Care Home, which added 143 beds to the facility, as one of his proudest moments in office.

When he became health minister, following the PC’s 2016 election win, Goertzen knew that had to be a priority.

“It’s not the flashiest, because people don’t desire to be in a personal care home, but when you need it and your family needs it, it’s incredibly important,” he said.

When asked who his favourite premier was, Goertzen said Filmon left a lasting impression even before he entered politics. Goertzen said they’ve become good friends.

On Tuesday, Ron Schuler, PC MLA for Springfield-Richot and one of Goertzen’s closest friends, told The Carillon he also isn’t seeking re-election. Goertzen said there was no coordination in both of their announcements, but it’s special they’re both leaving “on our own terms.” He said both Schuler and him shared many of the same experiences in office and talked for hundreds of hours in the legislature.

“We don’t know what’s coming next, but we feel it’s the right time,” he said. “I think Ron feels that way too. So for two people who’ve served a long time together – best of friends – that feels pretty good.”

Goertzen said his announcement to not seek re-election is about being transparent with voters and to prevent getting caught “playing any games.”

The next candidate deserves ample time preparing and voters deserve someone who can be fully engaged with the community, he said. Goertzen is confident in the direction of the PC party and said he’s become good friends with opposition leader Obby Khan.

But he labled the current trend of legislative discourse as “terrible.” Goertzen said it wasn’t a reason for him not running again, but it does make him sad.

On Nov. 27, both the NDP and PCs exchanged insults, calling each other “tofu eaters,” “misogynists,” and “criminals.”

“It’s not how democracy should function,” he said. “The legislature and parliament have always been rough and tumble, and they always will be. They always should be because you’re debating difficult issues…now it’s just personal attacks.”

He said it wasn’t perfect before Premier Wab Kinew came to power, but it’s only gotten worse since. Goertzen said Kinew needs to lead by example and set the tone of legislative debate.

Goertzen said he tried to work on both sides of the aisle and cooperate with other parties to get work done in government.

He remembers having jabs with former Premier Gary Doer as a young MLA and he appreciated the mutual respect shown in the legislature.

“Doer would say ‘Here comes the member for Steinbach, driving in from Steinbach with his hand on the horn, trying to get everyone’s attention,’” Goertzen said. “It was just funny. But that doesn’t exist anymore, and that’s too bad.”

Goertzen called Steinbach a gem of a riding and said any successor should have fun in the role and not only follow the talking points presented to them.

“I’ve had lots of jobs in the legislature, but I only ever ran for one and that’s MLA for Steinbach,” he said.

He credited his wife, Kim Goertzen, and his son, Malachi, as being crucial supports who kept him going through difficult periods, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

While he doesn’t have any plans yet after he leaves office, Goertzen hopes to stay active and involved. He said he’d like to serve on some boards and help people navigate the government. But writing is one of Goertzen’s loves, and with the spare time he hopes to write a book and have some “peaceful reflection.”