Harry Schellenberg

Who is Harry Schellenberg?

Harry Schellenberg is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Manitoba legislature from 1993 to 1995 and again from 1999 to 2003, representing the north-end Winnipeg riding of Rossmere for the New Democratic Party.

Schellenberg worked as a teacher for more than thirty years before entering political life, including over twenty spent at the River East Collegiate teaching Canadian history and world issues. He is a founding member of Manitoba Parents for German Education, and has participated in such community organizations as Open Circle, a visitation program for inmates at Stony Mountain Penitentiary. During his time as a teacher, he completed a Master of Education degree from the University of Manitoba.

A longtime supporter of the NDP, Schellenberg was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in a 1993 by-election, defeating Progressive Conservative Ed Martens in the north Winnipeg riding of Rossmere. Two years later, he was defeated by Progressive Conservative Vic Toews by 117 votes.

Schellenberg was elected President of the Manitoba NDP in 1996, and officially served in the position from 1997 to 1999. He returned to the legislature following the 1999 general election, in which he defeated Toews by 5097 votes to 4803. In 2003, he was re-elected by a more comfortable margin. He served as Deputy Chairperson of the Committees of the Whole House between 1999 and 2007.