Jim Rondeau

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Jim Rondeau (April 6, 1959-) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He is currently a Cabinet Minister in the government of New Democratic Premier Gary Doer.

Rondeau was born in Winnipeg, and was educated at John Taylor Collegiate, the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba. He worked as a teacher at Norway House High School from 1981 to 1984, and subsequently taught at Cranberry Portage. He also served as coordinator of the Frontier School Division at the University of Winnipeg, setting up a variety of learning centres and libraries throughout the province.

Related to his academic work, Rondeau founded an award-winning school-to-work transition program for young people in northern Manitoba. In addition, he has extensive experience in community work in both northern Manitoba and Winnipeg.

Rondeau entered the Manitoba legislature in 1999, following a dramatic win in the west Winnipeg riding of Assiniboia. The original vote totals showed a victory for Progressive Conservative incumbent Linda McIntosh; after the absentee ballots were counted, however, Rondeau was declared elected by 4347 votes to 4344. This was the first time that an NDP candidate had been elected in the Assiniboia riding, although CCF and labour candidates had been elected in the area before 1961.

Rondeau was not appointed to cabinet during his first term in the legislature. In the provincial election of 2003, he was re-elected in Assiniboia with 63% of the popular vote. At a cabinet shuffle in November, he was appointed to cabinet with responsibility for Healthy Living, Seniors and Healthy Child Manitoba. He was appointed to a full portfolio on October 12, 2004, serving as Minister of Industry, Economic Development and Mines.

Rondeau is the first openly gay member of the Manitoba legislature, although he has not been active in promoting issues related to the gay community.