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] He also sought the nomination of the Canadian Alliance party in the new riding of Portage—Lisgar for the 2000 election but lost to Brian Pallister who went on to win the seat in the general election.

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

1984 Riding: Selkirk—Interlake

Canadian federal election, 1984
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
Progressive ConservativeFelix Holtmann 13,750 40.7% +4.7%
New DemocraticTerry Sargeant 13,088 38.7% -7.0%
LiberalEd Anderson 3,510 10.4% -7.7%
Confederation of RegionsDoug Stefanson 3,301 9.8%
LibertarianBob Quenett 163 0.5%
Total valid votes 33,812 100.0%

[2]

Canadian federal election, 1988: Portage—Interlake
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]

Canadian federal election, 1993: Portage—Interlake
Party Candidate Votes%Expenditures
LiberalJon Gerrard 14,506 40.68 $48,438
     Reform Don Sawatsky 9,801 27.48 $40,040
     Progressive Conservative 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 PartyHans 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]

1997 Riding: Charleswood—Assiniboine

Canadian federal election, 1997
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
LiberalJohn Harvard 15,925 43.0% $37,585
Progressive ConservativeFelix Holtmann 8,664 23.4% $51,089
ReformCyril McFate 8,398 22.7% $21,501
New DemocraticRupert Forde 3,923 10.6% $1,850
Marxist–LeninistMary Stanley 154 0.4% $11
Total valid votes 37,064100.0%
Total rejected ballots 2620.4%
Turnout 37,32667.6%

[4]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 HOLTMANN, Felix, Dip. Agric., Library of Parliament, Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  2. 2.0 2.1 History of Federal Ridings since 1867: SELKIRK--INTERLAKE, Manitoba (1976 - 1987), Library of Parliament, Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 History of Federal Ridings since 1867: PORTAGE--INTERLAKE, Manitoba (1987 - 1996), Library of Parliament, Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  4. 4.0 4.1 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.