View source for Drew Caldwell

{{Short description|Canadian politician}}
{{other people||Andrew Caldwell (disambiguation){{!}}Andrew Caldwell}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = 
| name                = Drew Caldwell
| image               = 
| alt                 = 
| caption             = 
| majority            = 
| office              = [[Minister of Family Services and Housing (Manitoba)|Manitoba Minister of Family Services and Housing]]
| term_start          = September 25, 2002
| term_end            = November 4, 2003
| premier             = [[Gary Doer]]
| predecessor         = [[Tim Sale (politician)|Tim Sale]]
| successor           = [[Christine Melnick]]
| office1             = [[Minister of Education, Training and Youth (Manitoba)|Manitoba Minister of Education, Training and Youth]]
| term_start1         = January 17, 2001
| term_end1           = September 25, 2002
| premier1            = [[Gary Doer]]
| predecessor1        = ''new portfolio''
| successor1          = ''portfolio abolished''
| office2             = [[Minister of Education and Training (Manitoba)|Manitoba Minister of Education and Training]]
| term_start2         = October 5, 1999
| term_end2           = January 17, 2001
| premier2            = [[Gary Doer]]
| predecessor2        = [[James McCrae (politician)|James McCrae]]
| successor2          = ''portfolio abolished''
| office3             = Member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Manitoba]] for [[Brandon East]]
| term_start3         = September 21, 1999
| term_end3           = April 19, 2016
| predecessor3        = [[Leonard Evans]]
| successor3          = [[Len Isleifson]]
| office4             = Member of the [[Brandon City Council]] for Rosser
| term_start4         = 1992
| term_end4           = 1999
| predecessor4        = [[James Harwood (politician)|James Harwood]]
| successor4          = [[Marion Robinsong]]
| constituency4       = 
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1960|04|10}}
| birth_place         = [[Brandon, Manitoba]]
| death_date          = 
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| nationality         = 
| party               = [[New Democratic Party of Manitoba|New Democratic Party]]
| otherparty          = <!--For additional political affiliations-->
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| relations           = 
| children            = 
| residence           = 
| alma_mater          = [[Brandon University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]] ([[Bachelor of Education|BEd]]) <br> [[McGill University]]
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'''Drew Caldwell''' (born April 10, 1960) is a politician in [[Manitoba]], [[Canada]].  He was a member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Manitoba]] for the constituency of [[Brandon East]] from 1999 until 2016, serving as a [[Cabinet of Manitoba|Cabinet Minister]] in the governments of [[Gary Doer]] and [[Greg Selinger]]. Caldwell is a member of the [[New Democratic Party of Manitoba|New Democratic Party]].

==Early life and career==
Caldwell was born and raised in [[Brandon, Manitoba|Brandon]], [[Manitoba]].  He holds a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from [[Brandon University]] (1982), a [[Bachelor of Education]] degree from [[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]] in [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]] (1983), and undertook graduate studies in history at [[McGill University]] in [[Montreal]].  He returned to Brandon permanently on the passing of his father in 1989, working as a supply teacher and managing the Brandon Career Symposium. He was active with community organizations such as the Park Community Centre and was a founding director of the Brandon Folk Music and Art Festival and the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba.<ref>Helen Fallding, "Firefighter ready to get feet wet as Brandon MLA", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 17 September 1999, A6.</ref><ref>[http://www.ndpcaucus.mb.ca/mlas/brandon_east/index.html Meet Drew Caldwell] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060107103347/http://www.ndpcaucus.mb.ca/mlas/brandon_east/index.html |date=January 7, 2006 }}, New Democratic Party of Manitoba, accessed 24 January 2007.</ref>

Caldwell was a member of the [[Brandon City Council]] from 1992 to 1999, representing the Rosser Ward (Ward Two). He was a founding director of the Brandon Regional Health Authority, and - on the provincial stage - an Executive Member of the [[Union of Manitoba Municipalities]], the [[Manitoba Association of Urban Municipalities]] and the [[Association of Manitoba Municipalities]] between 1997 and 1999.  He opposed residential property tax increases while on city council, and supported owners of single-family homes in calling for parts of the city to be re-zoned from high-density residential to low-density residential.<ref>Helen Fallding, "Tempers flare over downtown rezoning", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 12 November 1998, A10' "Brandon NDP's new candidate starts firing", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 19 August 1999, A9.</ref>  In 1998, he chaired the Brandon Poverty Forum which led to the establishment of the Brandon Social Planning Council and a $50,000 civic reserve fund for social development.<ref>Helen Fallding, "Municipal tax cut sits on Wheat City horizon", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 18 December 1998, A4.</ref>

Active in the [[Manitoba NDP]] since his teens, Caldwell was President of the party when the writ was dropped for the 1999 General Election.

==Member of the Legislative Assembly==
When longtime [[Brandon East]] MLA [[Leonard Evans|Len Evans]] announced his retirement in 1999, Caldwell defeated Ross Martin and Susan Ferron to win the riding's NDP nomination.  He was elected without difficulty in the [[1999 Manitoba general election|general election]] that followed, as the NDP won a provincial [[majority government]] under [[Gary Doer]].<ref>"Brandon NDP's new candidate starts firing", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 19 August 1999, A9.</ref>

===Minister of Education and Training===

Caldwell was respected for his political/administrative skills, and there was little surprise when he was appointed to cabinet as [[Minister of Education (Manitoba)|Minister of Education and Training]] on October 5, 1999.  The position gave him oversight of the province's public schools and post-secondary institutions.  His position was renamed as [[Minister of Education (Manitoba)|Minister of Education, Training and Youth]] in 2001, and his responsibilities for post-secondary institutions were transferred to [[Diane McGifford]], the [[Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy (Manitoba)|Minister of Advanced Education and Training]].<ref>Sean O'Connor, "Rookie MLA joins cabinet", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 18 January 2001, A3.</ref>

====Early initiatives====

Soon after his appointment, Caldwell implemented an NDP campaign pledge to replace standardized Grade Three language and mathematics exams with individual diagnostic tests administered by teachers.<ref>Nick Martin, "Trustees decie Grade 9s must write English exam [sic]", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 4 November 1999, A9.</ref>  Many teachers complained about the extra workload, and opposition critic [[Joy Smith]] argued that the test system should be restored.<ref>Nick Martin, "'Kids need to be assessed. Parents need to know,' says Smith", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 30 April 2001, A3.</ref>  Caldwell responded that individual assessments were better suited to students' needs.

Caldwell also removed the controversial Youth News Network from Manitoba schools.  The network's parent company, Athena Education Partners, had previously offered free technology to schools in return for requiring students to watch daily YNN broadcasts, which included commercials from private corporations.  According to Todd Scarth of the [[Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives]], YNN televisions were equipped with two-way monitoring systems to ensure that students were watching and that the volume was not adjusted.  Athena's contracts also required schools to hire a half-day technician to maintain YNN equipment.<ref>See Nick Martin, "Province-wide Grade 3 tests, YNN will go, Caldwell vows", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 15 October 1999, A6 and Todd Scarth, Letter, ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 3 November 1999, A19.</ref>  Caldwell described YNN's programming as "clearly an unsatisfactory curriculum choice" for children,<ref>"Education Minister announces end to contracts with Youth News Network" [Manitoba government press release], ''M2 Presswire'', 21 October 1999.</ref> and oversaw the program's elimination once previously signed contracts were concluded in August 2000.<ref>Nick Martin, "Schools to pull plug on Youth Network", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 17 August 2000, A4.</ref>  The network was also banned in other provinces, and went off the air in 2000.<ref>"Manitoba educators complain Youth News Network computers were leased", ''Canadian Press'', 4 January 2002, 22:48.</ref>

====School funding====

When he assumed office, Caldwell indicated that school board funding increases would be pegged relative to provincial economic growth.  In February 2000, he announced that his government would provide schools with a 2.8% funding increase over the previous academic year.<ref>Nick Martin, "Schools get extra $30M", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 2 February 2000, A1.</ref>  The Winnipeg One division saw its funding increase by $4.1 million, primarily due to a large number of special needs students.<ref>Nick Martin, "Board pressed to dip into reserve funds", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 3 February 2000, A3.</ref>  Caldwell announced another 2.8% in 2001,<ref>"Editorial", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 26 January 2001, A10.</ref> and a 2.2% increase in 2002.  The latter amount was smaller than in previous years, but higher than overall provincial growth.

Despite these increases, school trustees repeatedly warned the public that boards would be required to either raise taxes or cut back on services.<ref>Nick Martin, "Seniors pressure boards to cut school spending", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 3 March 2000, A4; Nick Martin, "School taxes on the launching pad", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 19 February 2001, A4.</ref>  Caldwell acknowledged that the funding increases did not address all divisional needs, and blamed low levels of funding during the previous decade of Progressive Conservative government.  He also suggested that some trustees were overpaid, noting that St. Vital trustees had voted to give themselves stipends of $300 per day to attend amalgamation meetings.<ref>Nick Martin, "Caldwell hits 'appalling' trustees' fee", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 20 March 2002, A3.</ref>

====Amalgamations====

Shortly after assuming office, Caldwell told his department to review the [[Bill Norrie|Norrie]] Commission findings on school boards and prepare a report on amalgamations.  He indicated that his intent was to save money on administration, and put more funds directly into the classrooms.<ref>Nick Martin, "NDP eyes plan to merge school divisions", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 19 November 1999, A1.</ref>  Caldwell called for voluntary board mergers in 2000, saying that school divisions would need at least two thousand students to be viable and that more than half the provincial divisions were below that level.<ref>Nick Martin, "Merger threat upsets school boards", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 5 July 2000, A6; Nick Martin, "Minister offers $10,000 carrot for 'exploration' of mergers", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 26 September 2000, A1.</ref>

The response from school boards was tepid, and Caldwell announced in late 2001 that he would reduce the number of provincial boards from 54 to 36.  Three boards in Winnipeg were forced to merge.<ref>Nick Martin, "100 trustees to lose their jobs", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 9 November 2001, A1.</ref>  A bill enacting these changes was passed in July 2002, and the new school division boundaries were in place for the [[2002 Manitoba municipal elections|2002 municipal elections]].<ref>Nick Martin, "Caldwell expects more mergers", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 22 July 2002, A9.</ref>  The most difficult change was in Transcona-Springfield, which was split and merged with two pre-existing districts.<ref>Nick Martin, "School divisions struggle with deadline to merge", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 26 February 2002, A14.</ref>

During the amalgamation dispute, Caldwell introduced legislation requiring merged districts to submit their budgets to the minister for approval.  He argued that this was necessary to prevent large property tax increases.<ref>Nick Martin, "Caldwell takes over division budgets", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 17 June 2002, A1.</ref>  He also agreed to pay $50 per student to divisions that he forced into amalgamation, to compensate for the difficulties of restructuring.<ref>Nick Martin, "Caldwell relents, agrees to pay divisions forced to amalgamate", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 7 March 2002, A9.</ref>

====Adult education====

Caldwell was forced to cut per-student funding for adult education in 2000, after an unexpected surge in enrollment from the previous year put his department $10 million over budget.  He later argued that some adult education programs had been inadequately managed during the previous administration, and expressed concern about the quality of education that adult students were receiving.<ref>Nick Martin, "Adult-education numbers throw budgets out of whack", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 14 February 2000, A8; "Adult education funding cut won't do harm, Caldwell says", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 26 February 2000, A12; "Division at heart of controversy", 6 March 2000, A2.</ref>  His ministry discovered questionable recruitment practices in the Morris-Macdonald School Division, where cash bonuses had been paid to administrators who brought in thousands of adult students from elsewhere in the province.  Caldwell ordered his department to investigate the matter, which he described as "clearly inappropriate".<ref>Nick Martin, "Minister probes school board 'payola'", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 7 March 2000, A1; Nick Martin, "Caldwell changes gears on adult-ed recruitment", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 18 March 2000, A4.</ref>

An October 2001 report from provincial auditor Jon Singleton found that the Morris-Macdonald board had offered courses of dubious quality, and had overbilled the province by as much as four million dollars by claiming students who were not actually enrolled.  Caldwell dissolved the board the following month, and authorized the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] to launch a criminal investigation.<ref>Aldo Santin, "School board fired in funding scandal", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 10 November 2001, A1.</ref>  The RCMP later found that there was insufficient evidence to warrant criminal charges.<ref>Nick Martin, "No charges in learning centre fiasco", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 29 September 2005, A3.</ref>  Caldwell said of the matter, "The absolute abrogation of responsibility that took place among these officials is appalling.  There may well have to be some systemic change with respect to school board financial responsibility."<ref>Nick Martin, " Ex-trustees anger Caldwell", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 14 November 2001, A4.</ref>  He introduced new legislation in May 2002.<ref>"Caldwell tables legislation on adult education", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 17 May 2002, A5.</ref>

A government-appointed overseer increased Morris-Macdonald school taxes by 28% in 2002, largely to recover funds that were lost by virtue of the previous controversy.  Local residents responded by launching a legal challenge against the overseer and the government.<ref>Nick Martin, "Property-tax increase over adult-ed fiasco heads to court", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 10 June 2002, A3.</ref>  Caldwell indicated that he was willing to cushion the tax burden by allowing new trustees a longer period of time to pay off the debt.<ref>Nick Martin, "Lawsuit likely in adult-ed fiasco", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 4 May 2002, A5.</ref>

Jon Singleton later discovered that a second school board, the Agassiz Division, had received funding for non-existent adult students in 2001 with the Department of Education's knowledge and approval.  The Department had provided an additional $450,000 to the cash-strapped board as general revenue, and flowed it through the adult education program for administrative purposes.  Caldwell acknowledged that his department had made a "foolish mistake" in allowing the transfer, but insisted that it was done to protect students from the consequences of a drastic budget cut.  He added that the Agassiz and Morris-Macdonald situations were completely different, and rejected calls from the opposition for his resignation.<ref>Mia Rabson, "Caldwell admits 'error'", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 20 November 2001, A1.</ref>  The Deputy Attorney General investigated the matter and concluded that the transaction was inappropriate, but not fraudulent.<ref>"Man. deputy attorney general says no fraud in school overbilling case", ''Canadian Press'', 21 November 2001, 23:55.</ref>

====Labour relations====

Following his appointment to cabinet, Caldwell indicated that he would reverse the previous government's changes to the Public Schools Act relating to arbitration for teachers' salaries.  The system in place when he assumed office stipulated that contract disputes must be settled according to the division's ability to pay.  Caldwell initially considered reforming the system by putting teachers' contracts under the Labour Relations Act, so as to allow a greater range of issues to be considered.  He refused to introduce the option of strikes and lockouts, which neither side had requested.<ref>Manitoba teachers voluntarily gave up the right to strike in 1956, when they accepted binding arbitration resolutions.  See "No right to strike for teachers", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 25 May 2002, A3.</ref>  The [[Manitoba Teachers' Society]] generally supported the proposed changes, while the [[Manitoba Association of School Trustees]] opposed them.<ref>Daniel Lett, "Caldwell disregards arbitration warning", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 26 May 2000, A11.</ref>

Caldwell's June 2000 legislation expanded the range of arbitrable issues, but did not put teacher contracts under the Labour Relations Act.<ref>Scott Edmonds, " Manitoba returns some rights to teachers but fails to win praise", ''Canadian Press'', 22 June 2000, 17:18; "Strikes, lockouts to remain against law", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 23 June 2000, A5; Nick Martin, "School division's ability to pay no longer a factor in arbitration", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 23 June 2000, A5.</ref>  The reforms did not initially allow teachers to take class size and class composition to arbitration, although the government later exercised a clause in the bill to permit this right.<ref>Nick Martin, "Class size to be issue for arbitration", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 29 October 2002, A6.</ref>

====Property taxes====

When campaigning for election in 1999, Gary Doer pledged that his party would move to phase out the Education Support Levy on property taxes by its third year in office, unless such a move would jeopardize health or education services.<ref>Helen Fallding, "School taxes on property decried", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 17 March 2001, A3.</ref>  An April 2001 report by the [[Association of Manitoba Municipalities]] subsequently proposed a significant education tax shift from property taxes to general revenue.<ref>Nick Martin, "Massive tax shift urged in report", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 25 April 2001, A3.</ref>  Caldwell announced later in the year that his government would begin phasing out the levy for homeowners,<ref>Nick Martin, "School property taxes to die slow death", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 10 October 2001, A1.</ref> and would attempt to remove it entirely in five years.<ref>Nick Martin, "Support levy to vanish within 5 years", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 23 April 2002, B2.</ref>

Caldwell also introduced a revised funding formula for Manitoba schools in early 2002, simplifying some aspects of a model that was often criticized for its byzantine complexity.<ref>Nick Martin, "New funds won't halt school tax hikes", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 1 February 2002, A1.</ref>  Some argued that the changes did not go far enough.

====School curriculum====

In 2001, Caldwell introduced a program to allow greater freedom for high-school students and teachers in designing their curriculum.  Under his proposals, students would be allowed to earn optional credits through non-traditional means, such as taking part in science projects or performing community service.  Some argued that these changes would devalue the quality of Manitoba education, but Caldwell insisted that the new credit courses would be thoroughly vetted and would incorporate traditional subjects.<ref>David Kuxhaus, "Schools trying to customize their curriculum", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 5 June 2001, A4.</ref>  The proposal was revised in 2002; credits for volunteer work were allowed, but extracurricular activity credits were dropped after opposition from educators.<ref>Nick Martin, "Students to gain right to challenge for credits", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 6 July 2002, A11.</ref>

====Universities====

Caldwell fulfilled an NDP pledge for a tuition freeze and a 10% student tuition rebate shortly after assuming office.<ref>Nick Martin, "U of M links staff cuts, NDP pledge", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 4 January 2000, A3.</ref>  Both policies won support from the [[Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives]].<ref>Nick Martin, "Our schools get A for access", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 11 January 2001, A8.</ref>

The Doer government's first budget, in May 2000, included $60 million of new money for Manitoba's [[community college]] system, and a 3.8% increase for university funding.<ref>"Proposal part of NDP pledge to double community college space", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 8 October 2000, A2; Nick Martin, "Colleges to hit budget jackpot", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 8 May 2000, A1.</ref>  Although senior educators acknowledged that Caldwell's spending increases were a step in the right direction, many described the funds as insufficient.<ref>Nick Martin, "Students catch biggest break", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 11 May 2000, A8.</ref>  The [[University of Manitoba]] announced that it would need to introduce significant cuts in the wake of the budget, although Caldwell argued that university management practices were responsible for the institution's shortfalls.  [[Brandon University]] officials described the budget as their "most optimistic" in years.<ref>Nick Martin, "U of M expects 'disastrous' cuts due to budget", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 12 May 2000, A1; "Extra funding gives BU hope for next year", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 24 May 2000, A8; Nick Martin, "U of M told to live within its means", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 23 June 2000, A5.</ref>

In November 2000, the Doer government introduced $50 million over five years to repair the University of Manitoba's crumbling infrastructure.<ref>Nick Martin, "'Back-door tax' attacked", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 3 November 2000, A1.</ref>

Caldwell ceded cabinet responsibility for universities to Diane McGifford in 2001.  The ''[[Winnipeg Free Press]]'' newspaper suggested that he had been "carrying too much responsibility" and "accomplishing too little" in his original ministerial duties, and noted that he was more familiar with the public education file.<ref>"Editorial", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 18 January 2001, A12.</ref>

====Other====

In 2001, Caldwell announced that Manitoba would open high schools in [[Beijing]], [[Shanghai]] and [[Bangkok]] in an effort to attract overseas students to Manitoba's post-secondary education system.<ref>Nick Martin, "Beijing students to follow Manitoba curriculum", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 18 June 2001, A1; Nick Martin, "Foreign students to worsen squeeze?", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 31 August 2001, A3.</ref>

In the same year, members of [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] announced that they would distribute trading cards to children outside Manitoba schools as part of a national anti-milk campaign.  The cards showed the unhealthy side effects which PETA members suggested were associated with milk, including an increased risk of cancer and heart disease.  Caldwell refused to allow PETA members on school property, and announced that he would take "appropriate legal steps" if they "entice[d] children into approaching [them] for materials".<ref>Nick Martin, "Hey PETA, leave those kids alone", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 7 December 2001, A1; Kim Guttormson, "PETA out to cow city kids today", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 17 December 2001, A1.</ref>

Caldwell indicated in late April 2002 that his government would focus infrastructural funds on repairing existing schools, rather than constructing new ones.<ref>Nick Martin, "New schools not on NDP's spending list", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 1 May 2002, A11.</ref>

====Other responsibilities====

Caldwell was appointed to a super-committee of cabinet, called the Community Economic Development Committee, in late March 2000.<ref>"Super-committee of cabinet created", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 29 March 2000, A4.</ref>  In August of the same year, he was appointed to the Manitoba Round Table for Sustainable Development by [[Minister of Conservation (Manitoba)|Conservation Minister]] [[Oscar Lathlin]].<ref>"Lathlin appoints committee members", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 8 August 2000, A8.</ref>

Diane McGifford took Caldwell's seat on the Community Economic Development Committee in March 2001, as the position required the presence of a minister overseeing universities and community colleges.<ref>Helen Fallding, "Doer removes Lathlin from Treasury Board", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 25 March 2001, A3.</ref>

===Minister of Family Services and Housing===
Following a cabinet shuffle on September 25, 2002, Caldwell was named [[Minister of Family Services and Housing (Manitoba)|Minister of Family Services and Housing]] with responsibility for [[Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities (Manitoba)|Persons with Disabilities]].  The Family Services Ministry was being restructured at the time of Caldwell's appointment, and he was given responsibility for overseeing the transformation.<ref>Mia Rabson, "Premier shifts Caldwell off education hot seat", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 26 September 2002, A5.</ref>

====Family Services====

In November 2002, Caldwell announced that his government would establish a residential treatment centre to provide care and counselling to sexually exploited children.<ref>Daniel Lett, "Centre for child prostitutes in works", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 19 November 2002, A8; Lindor Reynolds, "Safe house to get sexually exploited children off street", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 11 December 2002, A3; Lindor Reynolds, "Child sex workers given haven, hope", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 26 September 2003, B1.</ref>  He also announced a review of Winnipeg Child and Family Services's temporary shelters after a series of complaints, and worked to ensure that play therapy services for children would be retained.<ref>Mia Rabson, "Advocate to review child care service", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 19 December 2002, A3.</ref>

In February 2003, Caldwell received a report into the circumstances of a child who had been shaken to death seven years earlier while under the supervision of Winnipeg Child and Family Services.  He responded by announcing an overhaul of the child welfare system, and indicated that Manitoba would set workload standards for social workers and supervisors.<ref>"Manitoba promises workload standards for social workers after baby inquest", ''Canadian Press'', 12 February 2003, 23:14.</ref>

Caldwell also announced his support for a national day-care program negotiated between the provinces and federal government in early 2003,<ref>David O'Brien, "Day care gets $33-M boost", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 14 March 2003, A3.</ref> and pledged that his government would create 788 new day-care spaces across the province in the following year.<ref>Mia Rabson, "Six new day-cares may lack staff", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 11 September 2003, A3.</ref>

In September 2003, Caldwell and [[Manitoba Métis Federation]] leader [[David Chartrand]] signed a mandate to create the Métis Child, Family and Community Services Agency, and to give the agency control over child welfare services for Métis residents.  This step followed a recommendation by the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry ten years earlier, that [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] in Canada be given authority for raising their children in the child welfare system.<ref>"Metis take own control of child welfare services", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 14 September 2003, A3.</ref>

====Housing====

Caldwell announced a $3.3 million housing announcement for Winnipeg in October 2002, in conjunction with [[Mayor of Winnipeg|Mayor]] [[Glen Murray (politician)|Glen Murray]] and [[Member of Parliament]] [[Anita Neville]].<ref>Steve Pona, "City's homeless get $3.3 million boost", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 12 October 2002.</ref>  Soon after, he helped introduce a solar panel heating project to reduce downtown Winnipeg's fuel consumption.<ref>"NDP pins hopes on solar wall" [editorial], ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 20 October 2002, B4.</ref>

Caldwell acknowledged that the housing situation in Manitoba was difficult, and expressed hope that his government would be able to create up to 2,500 units of affordable housing in five years.<ref>Lindor Reynolds, "Unsafe, unsanitary, unwell: Mentally ill face housing shortage", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 28 January 2003, A3.</ref>  In April 2003, he recommended tax credits for the construction of rental housing.<ref>Daniel Lett, "Housing plan under construction", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 15 April 2003, A6.</ref>  He later helped launch an affordable-housing project in north-end Winnipeg with members of the municipal and federal governments.<ref>"Hole in ground represents opportunity", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 15 July 2003, B4.</ref>

===Government backbencher===
Caldwell was re-elected in the [[2003 Manitoba general election|2003 provincial election]], winning an easy victory over his Progressive Conservative opponent.  He was originally retained as Family Services and Housing Minister, but left cabinet on November 4, 2003.  He had been suffering from respiratory difficulties for some time, and Doer indicated he requested to be removed due to health concerns.<ref>Daniel Lett, "Doer creates water czar", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 5 November 2003, A1.</ref> Others have argued Doer was dissatisfied with Caldwell and have suggested that the latter's health concerns, while legitimate, provided cover for a dismissal.

Caldwell served as a government [[backbench]]er after leaving cabinet.  He became a staunch advocate for the relocation of [[Assiniboine Community College]] to the former BMHC site on Brandon's north hill, an initiative commenced during his tenure as Minister of Education.<ref>"Brandon Sun" "Wheat City Journal" 2001-2007</ref> Caldwell also assumed leadership roles in local advocacy for development of the Western Manitoba Cancer Treatment Centre, provincial investment in flood protection for the City of Brandon, [[Brandon University]], the [[Keystone Centre]], the [[Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba]] and the hosting of the [[Memorial Cup]]. He also criticized some of his government's decisions, challenging [[Minister of Health (Manitoba)|Health Minister]] [[Theresa Oswald]] over details of the decision to spray [[malathion]] to control mosquito populations.  He was re-elected in the [[2007 Manitoba general election|2007 provincial election]], as the Doer government was returned with a third consecutive majority.<ref>Daniel Lett, "Future unclear for feisty MLA", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 22 July 2007, A4.</ref> With the NDP loss of the Brandon West constituency, Caldwell was left as the only New Democratic government MLA in Western Manitoba. There was some speculation that Caldwell would be re-appointed to cabinet in the next [[cabinet shuffle|shuffle]], but this did not occur.  Instead, in February 2008, he was appointed as Legislative Assistant to the Premier with special responsibility for western Manitoba.<ref>Steve Lambert, "Manitoba's newest cabinet minister to tackle skills shortage, controversial ads", ''Canadian Press'', 4 February 2008, 16:48.</ref> Caldwell was re-elected in the 2011 provincial election with an increased plurality, and remained the sole New Democratic government MLA in Western Manitoba.

===Minister for Municipal Government===

Caldwell returned to cabinet as Minister for Municipal Government in November 2014. His responsibilities included administration of the Building Manitoba/Building Canada Fund, the development of alternative energy policy, and municipal government relations with specific responsibility for the City of Winnipeg. Notable initiatives undertaken during this time included the Waverly Underpass. Caldwell also served on Treasury Board in his capacity as Minister.

===Federal politics===
Caldwell supported [[Jack Layton]] for the federal [[New Democratic Party]] leadership in 2002-03. He supported [[Tom Mulcair]] in the 2012 leadership race to succeed Mr. Layton.

==Electoral record==
{{2016 Manitoba general election/Brandon East}}{{2011 Manitoba general election/Brandon East}}

{{2007 Manitoba general election/Brandon East}}

{{2003 Manitoba general election/Brandon East}}

{{1999 Manitoba general election/Brandon East}}

{{1998 Brandon municipal election/Councillor, Ward Two}}

{{1995 Brandon municipal election/Councillor, Ward Two}}

{{1992 Brandon municipal election/Councillor, Ward Two}}

All Manitoba divisions were redistributed before the 1999 election.

All provincial election information is taken from [[Elections Manitoba]].  Expenditure entries refer to individual candidate expenses.  Municipal election information is taken from the ''Winnipeg Free Press''.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071010113646/http://ndpcaucus.mb.ca/oldCaucus/index.php?q=node%2F5&con=Brandon+East MLA Biography]

{{s-start}}
{{Canadian cabinet member navigational box header |ministry=Gary_Doer}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts
| post3preceded = [[Tim Sale (politician)|Tim Sale]]
| post3         = [[Minister of Family Services and Housing (Manitoba)|Minister of Family Services and Housing]]
| post3years    = 2002-2003
| post3note     = 
| post3followed = [[Christine Melnick]]
| post2preceded = ''position restructured in 2001''
| post2         = [[Minister of Education, Training and Youth (Manitoba)|Minister of Education, Training and Youth]]
| post2years    = 2001-2002
| post2note     = 
| post2followed = [[Ron Lemieux]], [[Diane McGifford]]<sup>1</sup>
| post1preceded = [[James McCrae (politician)|James McCrae]]
| post1         = [[Minister of Education and Training (Manitoba)|Minister of Education and Training]]
| post1years    = 1999-2001
| post1note     = 
| post1followed = ''position restructured in 2001''
}}
{{ministry box special cabinet
| post1preceded = [[Tim Sale (politician)|Tim Sale]]
| post1         = [[Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities (Manitoba)|Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities]]
| post1years    = 2002-2003
| post1note     = 
| post1followed = [[Christine Melnick]]
}}
{{s-par|ca-mb}}
{{succession box|title = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly]] for [[Brandon East (Manitoba riding)|Brandon East]]
| before = [[Leonard Evans]]
| after  = ''incumbent''
| years  = 1999-}}
{{s-off}}
{{succession box|title = Member of [[Brandon, Manitoba|Brandon]] City Council for Rosser Ward
| before = Jeff Harwood
| after  = [[Marion Robinsong]]
| years  = 1992&ndash;1999}}
{{s-ref|Lemieux was appointed as [[Minister of Education and Youth (Manitoba)|Minister of Education and Youth]].  McGifford, who was previously [[Minister of Advanced Education (Manitoba)|Minister of Advanced Education]], was given the restructured portfolio of [[Minister of Advanced Education and Training (Manitoba)|Advanced Education and Training]].}}

{{Selinger Ministry}}
{{Doer Ministry}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Caldwell, Drew}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:New Democratic Party of Manitoba MLAs]]
[[Category:Brandon, Manitoba city councillors]]
[[Category:Members of the Executive Council of Manitoba]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba]]