The MLA for Steinbach has a new role with the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba. Newly elected leader Obby Khan has named Kelvin Goertzen the Caucus Chair.
Goertzen was first elected MLA in 2003 and says Caucus Chair is one of the few positions he has never held in the Manitoba Legislature or within his caucus.
"I think I've held virtually all the other ones," he says. "So, I was excited to do that."
Goertzen says his new position includes chairing caucus meetings and determining what is on the agenda for discussion with MLAs. He is also now heavily involved with staffing. Goertzen says in a way he is almost the manager of the caucus, working with staffing issues, staff assignments, and caucus budgets.
"It's something that I haven't done before, but I have obviously seen a lot of it over my time in office," says Goertzen. "So, it doesn't feel unfamiliar to me."
Goertzen says being Caucus Chair allows him to bring experience to the transition with a new leader.
"I wanted to be able to provide support for him and for the caucus," he adds.
Goertzen says when a new leader comes in, there is a level of excitement but also a degree of uncertainty. And because of the changes, Goertzen says those who have been there a long time are relied upon to smooth out the uncertainties.
"Being the Caucus Chair allows me to do that," he adds.
When Goertzen was re-elected to a 6th term in 2023, he made known his desire to act as a mentor to some of the younger MLAs. Goertzen now says his new leader supports him in that role, and he feels that is one of the reasons why Khan asked him to be Caucus Chair. As someone who supported Khan in his bid to be the Conservative Leader, Goertzen says he gave him advice in terms of transitioning to his role as Leader of the Official Opposition for the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba.
Having said that, the last provincial election was 19 months ago and Goertzen says he would not consider any of their MLAs as "new" anymore. He notes they are now each bringing their own experiences since being elected and providing input into a lot of things.
"I certainly wanted to help mentor the new MLAs," says Goertzen. "But I also recognize that I'm really excited to see the growth of new MLAs as they sort of develop their own sort of personal interests and styles and priorities that they have as elected officials."
Meanwhile, Khan is now at least the 7th different leader that the PC Party of Manitoba has had since Goertzen was first elected.
"So, I'm not new to leadership changes," he says. "And each one sort of brings its own excitement with it, and newness and change."
Goertzen says there has been a lot of excitement in the Legislature this week with Khan taking on his new role during Question Period.
"It's good because you get a different sense of style, you get a different sense of enthusiasm," he says. "And it is an enthusiastic time for the entire PC Caucus as they sort of rally around a new leader and look forward to the days ahead."
Goertzen says early on in his tenure as leader, Khan is showing a lot of discipline in terms of meetings and preparation. Goertzen says Khan comes from a professional sports environment, which is evident in his preparation.
"To me, that sort of rigour and discipline is important because preparation is important. In anything you do in life, preparation is important, but in politics as well," says Goertzen. "Getting ready for the issues of the day, responding, coming up with policies, ideas and alternatives, all require a lot of preparation. So, I can see that that discipline that he had, both as a football player, but also in business and then at the Legislature for the last few years, is coming to bear in his style of leadership."
On Monday, Khan had his first opportunity to rise in the Manitoba Legislature and address his fellow MLAs in the Chamber. Khan said that as Opposition Leader, he plays a key leadership role in our free and democratic electoral system and is beyond honoured and humbled. He promised to usher in a new era of dignity and decorum at the legislative building, after months of rancorous debate.