Marianne Cerilli

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Marianne Cerilli (born 1961) is a Manitoba politician and educator. She served as a New Democratic member of the Manitoba Legislature for Radisson from 1990 to 2003, and was not in cabinet when the NDP formed government in 1999.

Cerilli was born in Toronto and raised in Winnipeg. She studied at the University of Manitoba, earning a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Physical Education. Before politics, she worked as a high school athletics coach, a Winnipeg School Division counsellor, at the Unemployed Health Centre of Winnipeg, and as a consultant to Manitoba Employment and Youth Services for three years.

In 1990, she initially sought the NDP nomination in Broadway but lost by one vote to Conrad Santos. She won the Radisson seat, defeating PC Mike Thompson, and became the youngest woman in the Manitoba legislature. She was re-elected in 1995, defeating Art Miki. While in opposition, Cerilli was the NDP critic for Housing, Workplace Safety, Health and Youth and was known for her left-leaning views; she supported Svend Robinson for federal NDP leader in 1995.

The NDP won again in 1999, and Cerilli defeated PC Henry McDonald in Radisson. She served as a legislative assistant to the Minister of Family Services and Housing but did not join the cabinet. In 2003, she supported Bill Blaikie’s bid to lead the federal NDP and left Radisson to try for the Wolseley nomination, which she lost to Rob Altemeyer.

After politics, Cerilli taught part-time at the University of Winnipeg and runs a community development business. She also ran for Mayor of Winnipeg in 2006, finishing second to incumbent Sam Katz.