Your voice in action

Mark Wasyliw is a lifelong advocate for public education, equity, and strong communities. Raised in a family of educators, Mark’s commitment to public service was shaped early by the values of fairness, inclusion, and opportunity for all. He and his partner, Jac-lynn, a teacher in the Louis Riel School Division, have made South Winnipeg their home, raising three children, two studying at the University of Winnipeg and one attending Kelvin High School.

Mark brings a wealth of experience to his role as the MLA for Fort Garry. He is a successful lawyer and former business owner, co-founding the former Bueti, Wasyliw, Wiebe Law Firm. He holds degrees from the University of Manitoba, McGill University, the University of Ottawa, and Osgoode Hall Law School. He was called to the Bar in 2000 and previously served as a Residential Tenancies Commissioner for the Province of Manitoba.

First elected in 2019, Mark served as the Official Opposition Finance Critic, Deputy House Leader, and Co-chair of the NDP Education Committee. After being re-elected in 2023, he was appointed Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Education and joined the Healthy Child Committee of Cabinet.

Mark’s public service began in local schools. Elected as a School Trustee for the Winnipeg School Division in 2011, he served as Vice-Chair and then Chair of the Board. Over his three terms, he championed transformative education policies that expanded opportunities for students and made schools more inclusive and responsive.

His leadership brought Manitoba’s first Full Day Kindergarten program to 13 schools, expanded French and Indigenous language programs, launched the province’s first Spanish Bilingual Program, and introduced Manitoba’s first International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. He created innovative initiatives like the Swim to Survive water safety program for grade 4 students and brought Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program into classrooms.

Mark also led on equity. He introduced Manitoba’s first “Right to Participate” policy, ensuring no student is excluded from enrichment opportunities due to financial barriers. He supported the creation of an Indigenous Advisory Council and championed Indigenous Land and Treaty Acknowledgements in schools. He also endorsed one of Canada’s first division-wide Transgender Policies to support gender-diverse students.

Mark continues to be active in his community, volunteering with organizations such as the Association in Defence of the Wrongfully Convicted, Corydon Community Club, and the Corydon Comets Football Club.

As MLA, Mark Wasyliw remains committed to fighting for public education, protecting renters, investing in healthcare, and building a more affordable Manitoba for everyone.