Edward Schreyer

Who is Edward Schreyer?

Edward Richard Schreyer PC CC CMM OM CD, commonly known as Ed Schreyer, is a Canadian politician, diplomat, and statesman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 22nd since Canadian Confederation.

Schreyer was born and educated in Manitoba prior to being elected in 1958 to the province's legislative assembly. He later moved into federal politics, winning a seat in the House of Commons, but returned to Manitoba in 1969, becoming leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party. The party then won that year's provincial election and Schreyer went on to serve as the 16th Premier of Manitoba. He was in 1978 appointed as governor general by Queen Elizabeth II, on the recommendation of Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau, to replace Jules Léger as viceroy, and he occupied the post until succeeded by Jeanne Sauvé in 1984. As the Queen's representative, he was praised for raising the stature of Ukrainian Canadians, though disparaged for his lacklustre vigour in exercising the role of governor general.