Distinguished alumna appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba

Janice Filmon, a highly respected, honoured and visionary community leader known for her prolific charitable work, has been named as Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“I speak for students, staff and colleagues within the University of Manitoba community as I congratulate Janice Filmon on her appointment,” says David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manitoba. “She is a perfect example of how graduates of the University can go on to lead others and achieve great things.”

Born in Winnipeg, Filmon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from the University of Manitoba (BScHEc/1963) and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Manitoba (LLD/2011) and an Honorary Doctor of Canon Law at St. John’s College, University of Manitoba. She is also past president of the University of Manitoba Alumni Association and has been on the board of the Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice.

In the spring of 2005, Filmon received the Peter D. Curry Chancellor’s Award at the University of Manitoba for contribution to the university’s governance and development. In June of 2005, Janice and her husband, Gary, were jointly honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Award at the University of Manitoba’s Fall Convocation.

After completing her university studies, Janice Filmon worked as a social worker with the Children’s Aid Society of Winnipeg and was a caseworker in family protection. She has extensive experience with community organizations and committees at the local, national and international levels. She is currently the Chair of the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, a board member of the Winnipeg Airport Authority and a founder and honorary chair of Manitoba A.L.I.V.E. (A Leadership Initiative in Voluntary Efforts), which teaches selected high school students the skills needed in the voluntary sector.

Filmon was named an officer of the Order of Manitoba in 2007 and in 2013 was named a member of the Order of Canada. She is the recipient of the Guardian Angel Award by the Manitoba Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation and received the Peter D. Curry Chancellor’s Award at the University of Manitoba for contributions to the university’s governance and development. The Janice C. Filmon Award for Leadership in cancer care in Manitoba was created in her honour and the Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice also named a student award after her.

Janice Filmon resides in Winnipeg with her husband Gary Filmon, the former Premier of Manitoba.