Ron Lemieux

The Honourable
Ron Lemieux
MLA
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Sport and Consumer Protection
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 18, 2013
Premier Greg Selinger
Preceded by Flor Marcelino
Manitoba Minister of Local Government
In office
November 3, 2009  October 18, 2013
Premier Greg Selinger
Preceded by Steve Ashton
Succeeded by Stan Struthers
Manitoba Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation
In office
September 21, 2006  November 3, 2009
Premier Gary Doer
Preceded by new portfolio
Succeeded by Steve Ashton
Manitoba Minister of Transportation and Government Services
In office
November 4, 2003  September 21, 2006
Premier Gary Doer
Preceded by Scott Smith
Succeeded by portfolio abolished
Manitoba Minister of Education and Youth
In office
September 25, 2002  November 4, 2003
Premier Gary Doer
Preceded by Drew Caldwell
Succeeded by Peter Bjornson
Manitoba Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism
In office
January 17, 2001  September 25, 2002
Premier Gary Doer
Preceded by Diane McGifford
Succeeded by Eric Robinson
Manitoba Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs
In office
October 5, 1999  January 17, 2001
Premier Gary Doer
Preceded by Shirley Render
Succeeded by Scott Smith
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 4, 2011
Preceded by new constituency
Succeeded by Dennis Smook
Constituency Dawson Trail
In office
September 21, 1999  October 4, 2011
Preceded by Ben Sveinson
Constituency La Verendrye
Personal details
Born August 15, 1950
Dauphin, Manitoba
Political party New Democratic Party
Residence Lorette, Manitoba
Alma mater University of Winnipeg
University of Manitoba

Ron Lemieux, MLA (born August 15, 1950 in Dauphin, Manitoba) is a Canadian politician, who has been an elected member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba since 1999, and a former professional ice hockey player.[1][2]

Ron was an ice hockey defenceman and was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins 110th overall in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft. Ron started with the Dauphin Kings of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, helping the Kings to the Manitoba championship in 1971-72.[3] He played for the Green Bay Bobcats in the United States Hockey League for the 1974-75 season (scoring seven goals and eighteen assists), but was never called up to the NHL. He later coached girl's hockey in Lorette, Manitoba and St. Adolphe.[4]

After leaving hockey, Lemieux received a Bachelor of Arts in 1979 and a Bachelor of Education in 1985 from the University of Winnipeg.[5][6] He completed post-baccalaureate work in education at the University of Manitoba.[1][7] He worked as a teacher for several years, coaching various high school teams and holding positions in the teacher's association.[2]

In the provincial election of 1999, Lemieux was elected to the Manitoba legislature for the rural riding of La Verendrye, defeating Progressive Conservative incumbent Ben Sveinson by 3533 votes to 3367. Lemieux's victory was something of an upset, as it occurred in a riding which had never before been won by the New Democratic Party or its social-democratic predecessors (despite having existed since 1879). In the 2003 election, Lemieux was re-elected with 58% of the riding's vote.

On October 5, 1999, Lemieux was appointed Minister of Consumer of Corporate Affairs, with responsibility for the Gaming Control Act. He was relieved of the latter responsibility on July 4, 2000; after a cabinet shuffle on January 17, 2001, he was appointed Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism with responsibility for Sport.

Lemieux has since been "shuffled" two further times: he became Minister of Education and Youth on September 25, 2002, and Minister of Transportation and Government Services on November 4, 2003.

In September 2006 he was appointed Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation in Gary Doer's new cabinet.[8]

In October 2013 Lemieux was named Minister of Tourism, Culture, Sport and Consumer Protection.[1]

Lemieux has described his political views as being closer to Tony Blair's "New Labour" than to traditional democratic socialism. In 2003, he supported Bill Blaikie's campaign to become leader of the federal New Democratic Party.[9] He was re-elected in the 2007 and 2011 provincial elections.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "MLA Biographies - Living". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Ron Lemieux". New Democratic Party of Manitoba. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  3. Taylor, Derek (April 29, 2013). "In The Elevator: Ron Lemieux". Global News.
  4. "Ron Lemieux career profile". hockeydraftcentral.com.
  5. "Electoral Divisions: Dawson Trail". Manitoba Votes 2011. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  6. Van der Graaf, Betsy (2003). Cherney, Lois, ed. "Class Acts" (PDF). The Journal (University of Winnipeg): 21. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  7. "Cabinet Ministers: Ron Lemieux". Government of Manitoba. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  8. Squires, Rochelle (September 22, 2006). "Premier's New Lineup". Winnipeg Sun. p. 4.
  9. "Cross Canada Support for Bill". Bill Blaikie, ElmwoodTranscona. Archived from the original on April 1, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2012.

External links