Minister of Healthy Living

Kerri Irvin-Ross Minister of Healthy Living; minister responsible for Seniors and minister responsible for Healthy Child Manitoba.

Premier Gary Doer announced the appointment of Kerri Irvin-Ross as Minister responsible for healthy living on September 21, 2006.

Kerri Irvin-Ross was elected to the Manitoba Legislature as the MLA for Fort Garry on June 3, 2003. Prior to her cabinet post, Premier Doer recognized Kerri’s skills and abilities by appointing her as the Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism on October 12, 2004. It was in that role that Kerri helped organize the very first – and very successful – India Day celebration at the Manitoba Legislature on August 15, 2004.

Hardworking, committed and accessible, Kerri ‘s support of community involvement on the grassroots level has led to initiatives that are identified, supported and implemented by Fort Garry residents.

Before her election to public office, Kerri served as a school social worker and community activist. She holds a Psychiatric Nursing Diploma and a Master''s Degree in Social Work. Over the years, she was employed in a variety of jobs in health, education and government.

Kerri is also well known for her work in the community throughout her career. She helped develop crime prevention initiatives and spearheaded drives for improved recreational facilities and services for young people. As an organizer, she led groups to encourage health awareness and advocate individual rights for the underprivileged. She believes that community must include all of its members, be family friendly and safe, as well as providing opportunities for young people and easily accessible public health care for everyone.

Raised in a small farming community in southern Saskatchewan, Kerri and her family moved to Winnipeg in 1996 where she was employed at the Child Guidance Clinic. She now resides in Fort Garry with her husband and two teenage children.