CBC Digital Archives

The Schreyers' new life at Rideau Hall

As Canada gets ready to welcome its next governor general, CBC Digital Archives has put together a collection of radio and TV clips featuring all who have performed the viceregal role since 1952: Vincent Massey (1952-59), Georges Vanier (1959-67), Roland Michener (1967-64), Jules Léger (1974-79), Ed Schreyer (1979-84), Jeanne Sauvé (1984-90), Ray Hnatyshyn (1990-95), Roméo LeBlanc (1995-99), Adrienne Clarkson (1999 to 2005), Michaëlle Jean (2005-10) and David Johnston, our newest governor general.

Things sure have changed for the Schreyer family. Several months ago, Ed Schreyer became Canada's 22nd governor general. As a result, Schreyer, his wife Lily and their four children -- ranging from toddler to teenager -- had to move from their casual home in Manitoba to the formally opulent Rideau Hall in Ottawa. In this 1979 documentary, Schreyer family members candidly discuss the pros and cons of their new lifestyle.
• Ed Schreyer was born in Manitoba on Dec. 21, 1935.
  • He became leader of the Manitoba NDP in 1969. That same year, his party won the provincial election and Schreyer became premier of Manitoba.

• He was premier of Manitoba until 1977.

• As Canada's governor general from 1979 until 1984, Schreyer championed women's issues, the environment and bilingualism.

• Despite his desire to be an open and friendly governor general, Schreyer was often attacked by the media for being stiff and too earnest. When Jeanne Sauvé was announced as his successor, a Maclean's magazine writer said "she is expected to restore grace and refinement to Government House after five years of Edward Schreyer's earnest Prairie populism and lacklustre reign."

• For more on Schreyer, please see the CBC Digital Archives clips Ed Schreyer vs Sterling Lyon, Ed Schreyer: socialist or social democrat?, and NDP wins again in '73.

Medium: Television
Program: Across Canada
Broadcast Date: Aug. 3, 1979
Guest(s): Ed Schreyer, Lily Schreyer, Tobin Schreyer, Lisa Schreyer, Karmel Schreyer, Jason Schreyer
Reporter: Ricki Katz
Duration: 25:46

Last updated: February 16, 2012

Page consulted on May 13, 2013

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