MaryAnn Mihychuk

MaryAnn Mihychuk (born February 27, 1955[1] in Vita, Manitoba[2]) is a former politician from Manitoba, Canada. She was a cabinet minister in the government of New Democratic Premier Gary Doer from 1999 to 2004.[1] Mihychuk resigned to run for Mayor of Winnipeg in 2004, but was defeated by Sam Katz.

The daughter of Métro Mihychuk and Katherine Salamandyk, she received the degrees Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg in 1979, and Master of Science from Brock University in 1984. She is certified as a Practicing Professional Geoscientist. Mihychuk worked as a geologist in Newfoundland and Labrador from 1984 to 1986 and in Manitoba from 1986 to 1992. In 1992, she married Kenneth Marshall. She has two daughters, Sarah Mihychuk and Hannah Mihychuk, and a son, John.[2]

Mihychuk was first elected as a Winnipeg School Division Trustee first in 1989 and was re-elected in 1992.

She was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in 1995, defeating Liberal leader Paul Edwards[3] by 3109 votes to 2853 in the Winnipeg constituency of St. James. The 1995 election was won by Gary Filmon's Progressive Conservatives. Mihychuk and 22 other New Democrats formed the Official Opposition.

The NDP won the following general election in 1999. This time Mihychuk was elected in the constituency of Minto, defeating Progressive Conservative Harry Lehotsky[3] by 4534 votes to 2035. Gary Doer was sworn in as Premier and named Mihychuk Minister of Industry, Trade and Mines.[4]

Mihychuk was re-elected to the provincial legislature in 2003, winning almost 70% of the votes cast in her constituency.[3] On November 4, 2003, she was named Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade,[5] with responsibility for International Relations Coordination.

Mihychuk resigned from cabinet and the legislature on May 21, 2004, to seek election as Mayor of Winnipeg.[6] The 2004 election was held to determine the successor to former mayor Glen Murray. Murray had resigned to seek election to the Canadian House of Commons). Mihychuk's campaign platform focussed on increasing Winnipeg's population. Although a respected community figure, Mihychuk was only able to win 10% of the city's vote.

She now runs Mihychuk Consulting, offering professional advice in a variety of fields.

In 2005 Mihychuk relocated to Toronto, Ontario to work for the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) as Director of Regulatory Affairs.[7]

Mihychuk supported Lorne Nystrom's campaigns to lead the federal New Democratic Party in 1995 and 2003.

In 2014, Mihychuk was chosen as the Liberal candidate in the riding of Kildonan—St. Paul for the upcoming federal election, defeating the previous Liberal candidate, Victor Andres.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "MLA Biographies - Living". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 O'Handley, Kathryn. Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 1998-1999. ISBN 0-7876-3558-8.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Minto". Manitoba Votes 2003 (CBC News).
  4. ↑ Smith, Doug (2004). Stickin' to the union Local 2224 vs. John Buhler. Halifax, N.S.: Fernwood Pub. p. 74. ISBN 978-1-55266-141-3.
  5. ↑ "Analysis: Food and Drug Administration seeks to stop the selling of Canadian drugs to US consumers (Transcript)". National Public Radio. 29 September 2003. Retrieved 22 January 2011. MaryAnn Mihychuk is Manitoba's trade minister.
  6. ↑ Kives,, Bartley (28 October 2010). "Katz re-elected in Winnipeg". National Post. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  7. ↑ "MaryAnn Mihychuk is the PDAC’s new Director, Regulatory Affairs". Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada. November 4, 2005.
  8. ↑ "MaryAnn Mihychuk, Ex-Manitoba NDP Cabinet Minister, To Run For Federal Liberals". Huffington Post. July 9, 2014.

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