Harry Harapiak

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (February 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Harry Harapiak (September 17, 1938-November 14, 2000) was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1981 to 1990, and was a cabinet minister in the New Democratic Party government of Howard Pawley. His brother Leonard Harapiak was also a cabinet minister in the Pawley administration, and his sister Rosann Wowchuk is currently a cabinet minister in the government of Gary Doer.

Harapiak was educated at Minitonas College and Coniston Continuation; he did not attend university. He served as a school trustee from 1973 to 1981.

He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the provincial election of 1981, for the northern riding The Pas. Pawley's NDP won a majority government in this election, and on January 30, 1985 Harapiak was appointed Minister of Northern Affairs with responsibility for the Communities Economic Development Fund Act and some aspects of the Manitoba Natural Resources Development Act. He was re-elected without difficulty in the 1986 election and kept in his portfolio, without the additional responsibilities. On February 4, 1987, he was appointed Minister of Government Services with responsibility for the Workers Compensation Act (except as regards Worker Advisers).

The New Democrats were unexpectedly defeated in the legislature in early 1988, and were defeated in the election which followed. Harapiak was re-elected for The Pas, and sat in the opposition benches for the next two years. He did not run for re-election in 1990, and returned to his private career.

On May 19, 1984, Harry's eldest daught Marianne married Todd Lamb, the grandson of Tom Lamb from The Pas, Manitoba. Tom Lamb was the founder of Lamb Air.

April 14, 2005, Harry's daughter Christine Harapiak was appointed as a Judge in Manitoba.

Harapiak died in 2000.