Gord Mackintosh

Gordon Henry Alexander "Gord" Mackintosh (born July 7, 1955) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada.^[1][2] He is currently a cabinet minister in the New Democratic Party government of Greg Selinger.^[1]

Mackintosh was born in Fort Frances, Ontario, and was educated at the University of Manitoba.^[2] He trained as a lawyer, and was called to the bar in 1988.

Mackintosh worked for the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Manitoba Human Rights Commission^[3] between 1979 and 1984, and also worked as Deputy Clerk of the Manitoba legislature^[3] from 1980 to 1984. He was chair of the Patient's Rights Committee^[3] from 1986 to 1992, and was a member of the Rainbow Society and the Manitoba Anti-Poverty Organization. In his legal career, he specialized in environmental issues, and was also an assistant to Elijah Harper during the Meech Lake constitutional debates of 1990.^[3]

Mackintosh entered provincial politics in September 1993, winning a by-election in the north Winnipeg riding of St. Johns (replacing Judy Wasylycia-Leis, who resigned to run for the federal House of Commons).^[4] Mackintosh won 3232 votes, compared to 878 for his nearest opponent, Liberal Naty Yenkech.

In the provincial election of 1995, Mackintosh was re-elected in St. Johns with 4513 votes, against 1610 for Liberal Bron Gorski. The general election was won by Gary Filmon's Progressive Conservatives, and Mackintosh joined 22 other New Democrats in the official opposition.

The New Democrats won the election of 1999,^[5] and Mackintosh was easily re-elected in his own riding. On October 5, he was appointed Minister of Justice, Attorney General and Keeper of the Great Seal with responsibility for Constitutional Affairs, and was also named NDP House Leader. On January 17, 2001, he was charged with responsibility for the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act.

As Attorney General, Mackintosh oversaw the extension of children's rights in the legal system, and supported the creation of Cybertip.ca by Child Find Manitoba to report on online predators and child pornography. In addition, Mackintosh has overseen new initiatives in aboriginal and community justice, and has made efforts to target organized crime in Manitoba. On November 1, 2004, Mackintosh's department announced that it would introduce tough anti-gang legislation, which would permit the province to confiscate the assets of suspected gang members even if no criminal convictions have occurred.

In 2003, Mackintosh supported Bill Blaikie's candidacy to become leader of the federal New Democratic Party.^[6]

The New Democrats were re-elected in 2003,^[7] and Mackintosh was returned in St. Johns with over 72% of the vote.^[4]

In September 2006, Mackintosh became Minister of Family Services and Housing, replacing Christine Melnick. Mackintosh assumed the portfolio during a period when the government was facing criticism over a perceived lack of accountability and proper financial controls over the funding of social service agencies. The controversy was sparked when an audit of the agency Hydra House by the provincial auditor found examples of widespread mismanagement and misapplication of public funds.

Mackintosh was re-elected in the 2007 provincial election.^[8]

Trivia

In the 2007 television motion picture "Elijah", about the defeat of the Meech Lake Accord, Mackintosh is portrayed by Matt Kippen.^[9]

Electoral history

References