Cameron Friesen

Cameron Scott Friesen is a Canadian politician and was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Morden-Winkler.^[1] A member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, he was first elected in the 2011 provincial election,^[2] and re-elected in 2016 and 2019.^[3]

Cameron Friesen
Manitoba Minister of Finance
In office January 18, 2022 – January 30, 2023
Premier	Heather Stefanson
Preceded by	Scott Fielding
Succeeded by	Cliff Cullen
In office May 3, 2016 – August 1, 2018
Premier	Brian Pallister
Preceded by	Greg Dewar
Succeeded by	Scott Fielding
Manitoba Minister of Justice and Attorney General
In office January 5, 2021 – January 18, 2022
Premier	Brian Pallister Kelvin Goertzen Heather Stefanson
Preceded by	Cliff Cullen
Succeeded by	Kelvin Goertzen
Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living
In office August 1, 2018 – January 5, 2021
Premier	Brian Pallister
Preceded by	Kelvin Goertzen
Succeeded by	Heather Stefanson
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Morden-Winkler
In office October 4, 2011 – February 3, 2023
Preceded by	First Member
Succeeded by	Carrie Hiebert
Personal details
Born	Morden, Manitoba
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Residence(s)	Morden, Manitoba
Alma mater	Canadian Mennonite University University of Manitoba University of British Columbia University of Winnipeg
Occupation	Teacher

Friesen was the Manitoba Minister of Finance from May 3, 2016 until August 1, 2018 and served a second term from January 18, 2022 until January 30, 2023.^[4][5] He was appointed Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living on August 1, 2018. During his tenure as Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living, Friesen has faced several criticisms for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[6][7] He was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General on January 5, 2021.

Friesen announced his resignation as Minister of Finance in January 2023, and shortly thereafter on February 3, 2023 he resigned his seat as MLA for Morden-Winkler to seek the federal nomination in Portage—Lisgar after Candice Bergen announced the previous fall that she would not be seeking reelection in the 45th Canadian federal election.^[8] He lost the nomination to Branden Leslie.

Health minister

In November 2020 he questioned the motivation of more than 200 experts who raised concerns regarding the seriousness of COVID-19.^[9] At the time, he claimed he had things under control.^[9] After he refused to apologize, opposition MLAs including New Democratic Party health critic Uzoma Asagwara and Liberal Party leader Dougald Lamont called on him to resign.^[9]

Electoral record

v t e 2019 Manitoba general election: Morden-Winkler
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Progressive Conservative	Cameron Friesen	6,109	80.86	-2.2	$12,339.21
	Green	Mike Urichuk	804	10.64	+0.8	$129.20
	New Democratic	Robin Dalloo	365	4.83	+1.7	$0.00
	Liberal	David Mintz	277	3.67	-0.3	$0.00
Total valid votes			7,555	99.63	–
Rejected			28	0.37
Turnout			7,583	51.19
Eligible voters			14,813
	Progressive Conservative hold		Swing		-1.5
Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2019). Statement of Votes for the 42nd Provincial General Election, September 10, 2019 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. "Candidate Election Returns". Elections Manitoba. Elections Manitoba. Retrieved March 2, 2020.

v t e 2016 Manitoba general election: Morden-Winkler
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Progressive Conservative	Cameron Friesen	6,598	85.04	-0.49	$14,748.12
	Green	Mike Urichuk	667	8.60	–	$979.50
	Liberal	Benjamin Bawdon	279	3.60	0.59	$41.45
	New Democratic	Elizabeth Lynch	215	2.77	-8.69	$793.14
Total valid votes			7,759	–	–
Rejected			34	–
Eligible voters / turnout			15,006	51.93	11.15
Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2016). Statement of Votes for the 41st Provincial General Election, April 19, 2016 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. "Election Returns: 41st General Election". Elections Manitoba. 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2018.

v t e 2011 Manitoba general election: Morden-Winkler
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	Expenditures
	Progressive Conservative	Cameron Friesen	4,918	85.53	$20,100.34
	New Democratic	Aaron McDowell	659	11.46	$0.00
	Liberal	Daniel Woldeyohanis	173	3.01	$0.00
Total valid votes			5,750	–
Rejected			39	–
Eligible voters / turnout			14,195	40.78
Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2011). Statement of Votes for the 40th Provincial General Election, October 4, 2011 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. "Election Returns: 40th General Election". Elections Manitoba. 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2018.