Felix Holtmann

Felix Holtmann (born December 5, 1944) is a former Canadian politician. He served in the Canadian House of Commons from 1984 to 1993, as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party.

Holtmann was born in Rosser, Manitoba, and educated at the University of Manitoba, Warren College and Jessups School of Advanced Dairy Science. He received a diploma of agriculture, and worked as a farmer. Before entering political life, he was a member of various hog marketing and advisory boards.

He was first elected to the House of Commons in the 1984 federal election,[1] defeating New Democratic Party incumbent Terry Sargeant by 662 votes in Selkirk—Interlake[2] amid a national landslide victory for the PC Party under Brian Mulroney. He was re-elected[1] by an increased plurality in the 1988 election, for the redistributed riding of Portage—Interlake.[3] During his time as a parliamentarian, Holtmann served as a backbench supporter of the Mulroney and Kim Campbell governments.

He was defeated in the 1993 election,[1] finishing third against Liberal candidate Jon Gerrard.[3] He attempted a comeback in the 1997 election, but lost[1] to Liberal John Harvard in Charleswood—Assiniboine.[4]

Holtmann was arrested on drunk driving charges in 2002. Although he admitted drinking that night, he denied being impaired. He was acquitted by the courts on April 26, 2007 with the judge saying that although there was some evidence of impairment, there was still room for reasonable doubt.[5]

Election results

Canadian federal election, 1984
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
     Progressive Conservative Felix Holtmann 13,750 40.7% +4.7%
     New Democrat Terry Sargeant 13,088 38.7% -7.0%
     Liberal Ed Anderson 3,510 10.4% -7.7%
     Confederation of Regions Doug Stefanson 3,301 9.8%
     Libertarian Bob Quenett 163 0.5%
Total valid votes 33,812 100.0%

[2]

Canadian federal election, 1988
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
     Progressive Conservative HOLTMANN, Felix 13,307
     Liberal HARLAND, R. Harvey 10,381
     New Democratic Party FOLLOWS, Gerry 6,372
     Reform BEACHELL, Alan 4,054
     Libertarian RICE, Dennis 229

[3]

1993 federal election : Portage—Interlake edit
Party Candidate Votes % +/- Expenditures
     Liberal Jon Gerrard 14,506 40.68 $48,438
     Reform Don Sawatsky 9,801 27.48 $40,040
     Progressive Conservative (x)Felix Holtmann 7,036 19.73 $67,866
     New Democratic Party Connie Gretsinger 3,029 8.49 $6,976
     National Mel Christian 935 2.62 $2,756
     Natural Law Gary Schwartz 179 0.50 $0
     Libertarian Dennis Rice 92 0.26 $275
     Canada Party Hans C. Kjear 83 0.23 $0
Total valid votes 35,661 100.00
Total rejected ballots 119
Turnout 35,780 69.10
Electors on the lists 51,779

Source: Thirty-fifth General Election, 1993: Official Voting Results, Published by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada. Financial figures taken from official contributions and expenses provided by Elections Canada.[3]

Canadian federal election, 1997
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
     Liberal John Harvard 15,925 43.0% $37,585
     Progressive Conservative Felix Holtmann 8,664 23.4% $51,089
     Reform Cyril McFate 8,398 22.7% $21,501
     New Democrat Rupert Forde 3,923 10.6% $1,850
     Marxist–Leninist Mary Stanley 154 0.4% $11
Total valid votes 37,064 100.0%
Total rejected ballots 262 0.4%
Turnout 37,326 67.6%

[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d HOLTMANN, Felix, Dip. Agric., Library of Parliament, Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  2. ^ a b History of Federal Ridings since 1867: SELKIRK--INTERLAKE, Manitoba (1976 - 1987), Library of Parliament, Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d History of Federal Ridings since 1867: PORTAGE--INTERLAKE, Manitoba (1987 - 1996), Library of Parliament, Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  4. ^ a b History of Federal Ridings since 1867: CHARLESWOOD--ASSINIBOINE, Manitoba (1996 - 1998), Library of Parliament, Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  5. ^ Former Conservative MP cleared of drunk driving charges, Winnipeg Free Press, April 27, 2007. Retrieved 26 January 2010.