Zwaagstra acclaimed as Steinbach PC candidate

Michael Zwaagstra was acclaimed as the PC candidate for Steinbach in a meeting on April 30.

Originally a two-person race, fellow city councillor Susan Penner pulled her bid for the nomination to focus on family issues.

That meant the current deputy mayor for the City of Steinbach, long-time schoolteacher and father of four Michael Zwaagstra won the uncontested nomination.

The meeting in Mitchell saw current MLA Kelvin Goertzen make the nomination with Susan Penner as the seconder.

Both praised Zwaagstra highly, saying he was the right person for the job.

Goertzen told the group of PC members in attendance that endorsing Zwaagstra was a continuation of a tradition in the riding.

Former MLA Albert Driedger endorsed his successor Jim Penner who endorsed Goertzen himself.

He told Zwaagstra it was OK to disagree with one’s own political party from time to time, but said it’s important to remember they have the same goals.

“Ultimately we are Progressive Conservatives, and we support each other and we stand beside each other because we know the alternative is significantly worse and that’s being demonstrated on Broadway today,” he said.

He urged PC members to lead with questions and not accusations if they have concerns with anything their representative says or is doing and expressed high praise for Zwaagstra.

“I believe he can be the best MLA Steinbach has ever had,” he said.

He said there will be many opportunities and titles that will come with government, but reminded Zwaagstra to remain true to his roots.

“These opportunities start because of Steinbach, the riding, and the people who elected you here,” he said. “None of those happen without the people here so they’re your first priority.”

“When all those titles are gone, as they will be for me whenever Wab Kinew decides to retire me and call an election, you go home to your family,” he added. “Keep that as your number one priority.”

Goertzen expressed his confidence in the new nominee.

“Michael, you’re going to do a wonderful job,” he said. “You’re going to be a fantastic MLA.”

Susan Penner also endorsed Zwaagstra while seconding his nomination. She said his character shines as much as his resume.

“Michael is a genuinely good human being,” she said. “He is the kind of person who is generous with his time and his knowledge.”

“He does the work, makes thoughtful decisions and knows who he is there to serve,” she added.

Zwaagstra addressed the PC members saying 23 years ago he was volunteering at Goertzen’s first election bid.

“I campaigned with him in every election since 2003 and it’s been a pleasure going door to door with him and Kim and Malachi,” he said.

He also tipped his hat to Penner.

“Susan has a brilliant analytical mind, a compassionate heart and a willingness to make tough decisions when they need to be made,” he said.

He told the crowd that the best predictor of the type of MLA he will be is his past record.

“What I’ve done during my 26 years as a teacher in the public education system, my nearly 20 years as a Steinbach city councillor, my nearly 11 years total as deputy mayor, 16 years of weekly opinion article writing in The Carillon and 20 plus years of active involvement in both the federal and provincial conservative parties should give you a pretty good picture of the type of MLA I’m going to be,” he said.

“I’m willing to stand up for my conservative values, confirming my strong support for religious freedom, my opposition to excessive government spending, my support for a back to the basics approach to education, my strong opposition to so-called safe injection sites… or my long standing call for a tough on crime approach so that violent criminals are sent to jail and remain there,” he added.

He added that he will represent the entire Steinbach constituency which includes Mitchell, Blumenort and other parts of the RM of Hanover.

“What this means is I need to focus on not just what is best for the City of Steinbach but also what is best for the RM of Hanover,” he said. “If I’m elected MLA, I pledge to do just that. Wherever you live in Steinbach, Mitchell or Blumenort I will work equally hard for all of you.”

Zwaagstra also expressed his confidence in PC leader Obby Khan and endorsed his plan to raise the personal exemption to $30,000 from the current $15,780.

Zwaagstra will continue to serve as a city councillor but will not run again in the fall 2026 election. If a provincial election is called earlier than that, he will step down.