David Newman (politician)
Encyclopedia
David Gerald Newman is a politician
in Winnipeg, Manitoba
. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
from 1995 to 1999, and was a cabinet minister
under Gary Filmon
from 1997 to 1999. In 2000, he made an unsuccessful bid for the Canadian House of Commons
in Winnipeg South Centre
.
Newman was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and educated at the University of Manitoba
and Dalhousie University
, receiving an LL.B. from the latter institution in 1968. He joined the firm of Newman, MacLean in 1968, and became a partner in 1973. Newman helped to found the firm of Newman & Company in 1978, and was a Senior Partner in Pitblado and Hoskin from 1985 to 1995, serving as its Chairman after 1989. He also President of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
in 1989-90. Newman has extensive experience in labour law, and has also been actively involved in environmental and aboriginal issues.
Newman was elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1995 provincial election
, winning the Winnipeg seat of Riel as a Progressive Conservative
; he finished 441 votes ahead of his nearest opponent, Liberal
Gord Steeves
. In 1996, Newman chaired a task force looking into the restructuring of Manitoba's civil law.
He entered cabinet on January 6, 1997, serving as Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister of Northern Affairs, with responsibility for Native Affairs, the Communication Economic Development Fund Act, the Fisheries Act (Part III) and the Manitoba Hydro Act. Newman opposed the efforts of an aboriginal community in Cross Lake
to receive increased government compensation for land flooding in the Churchill River Diversion Project, noting that other bands in the area had previously accepted a negotiated settlement of more than $200 million.
The Progressive Conservatives were defeated by the New Democratic Party under Gary Doer
in the 1999 provincial election
, and Newman lost to NDP candidate Linda Asper
by 274 votes in Riel. The following year, he ran as a candidate of the federal Progressive Conservative Party
in Winnipeg South Centre
, seeking to replace long-time MP
Lloyd Axworthy
. Although the seat is generally regarded as safe for the Liberal Party
, Newman polled a credible second-place, losing to Liberal Anita Neville
by 15231 votes to 10675.
Newman returned to his legal practice after his defeat, in the restructured firm of Pitblado Hoskin Asper. In 2003, he was hired to represent Ken Courchene
, accused of mismanaging resources at the Virginia Fountaine Addiction Foundation in the Sagkeeng First Nation
in northern Manitoba.
During the Conservative Party of Canada
's 2004 leadership race, Newman backed the unsuccessful candidacy of Tony Clement
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and the lieutenant governor form the Legislature of Manitoba, the legislature of the Canadian province of Manitoba. Fifty-seven members are elected to this assembly in provincial general elections, all in single-member constituencies with first-past-the-post...
from 1995 to 1999, and was a cabinet minister
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
under Gary Filmon
Gary Filmon
Gary Albert Filmon, PC, OC, OM is a Manitoba politician. He was the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba from 1983 to 2000, and served as the 19th Premier from 1988 to 1999.-Early life and municipal career:...
from 1997 to 1999. In 2000, he made an unsuccessful bid for the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
in Winnipeg South Centre
Winnipeg South Centre
Winnipeg South Centre is a federal electoral district in Manitoba, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1925 to 1979 and since 1988.-Geography:...
.
Newman was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and educated at the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
and Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
, receiving an LL.B. from the latter institution in 1968. He joined the firm of Newman, MacLean in 1968, and became a partner in 1973. Newman helped to found the firm of Newman & Company in 1978, and was a Senior Partner in Pitblado and Hoskin from 1985 to 1995, serving as its Chairman after 1989. He also President of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
in 1989-90. Newman has extensive experience in labour law, and has also been actively involved in environmental and aboriginal issues.
Newman was elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1995 provincial election
Manitoba general election, 1995
The Manitoba general election of April 25,1995 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative Party, which won 31 seats out of 57...
, winning the Winnipeg seat of Riel as a Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is the only right wing political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is also the official opposition party in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.-Origins and early years:...
; he finished 441 votes ahead of his nearest opponent, Liberal
Manitoba Liberal Party
The Manitoba Liberal Party is a political party in Manitoba, Canada. Its roots can be traced to the late nineteenth-century, following the province's creation in 1870.-Origins and early development :...
Gord Steeves
Gord Steeves
Gord Steeves was a City Councillor for the ward of St. Vital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Gord resigned from City Council in 2011 in order to run in the provincial election with the Progressive Conservatives. He was defeated by NDP incumbent Theresa Oswald by 924 votes...
. In 1996, Newman chaired a task force looking into the restructuring of Manitoba's civil law.
He entered cabinet on January 6, 1997, serving as Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister of Northern Affairs, with responsibility for Native Affairs, the Communication Economic Development Fund Act, the Fisheries Act (Part III) and the Manitoba Hydro Act. Newman opposed the efforts of an aboriginal community in Cross Lake
Cross Lake, Manitoba
Cross Lake is the name of two closely related, adjoining but independent communities in the Canadian Province of Manitoba. One of the Cross Lakes is the Cross Lake Indian Reserve where the main urban area is called Cross Lake...
to receive increased government compensation for land flooding in the Churchill River Diversion Project, noting that other bands in the area had previously accepted a negotiated settlement of more than $200 million.
The Progressive Conservatives were defeated by the New Democratic Party under Gary Doer
Gary Doer
Gary Albert Doer, OM is a Canadian diplomat and politician from Manitoba, Canada. Since October 19, 2009, he has served as Canada's Ambassador to the United States...
in the 1999 provincial election
Manitoba general election, 1999
The Manitoba general election of September 21, 1999 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada....
, and Newman lost to NDP candidate Linda Asper
Linda Asper
Linda Asper is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. Originally a New Democrat, she joined the Liberal Party and then later returned to the New Democratic Party during the 1990s. She was a member of the Manitoba legislature from 1999 to 2003....
by 274 votes in Riel. The following year, he ran as a candidate of the federal Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
in Winnipeg South Centre
Winnipeg South Centre
Winnipeg South Centre is a federal electoral district in Manitoba, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1925 to 1979 and since 1988.-Geography:...
, seeking to replace long-time MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
Lloyd Axworthy
Lloyd Axworthy
Lloyd Norman Axworthy, PC, OC, OM is a prominent Canadian politician, statesman and University President from Manitoba. He is best known for having served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien...
. Although the seat is generally regarded as safe for the Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, Newman polled a credible second-place, losing to Liberal Anita Neville
Anita Neville
Anita Neville, MP was a Canadian politician. She was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal in the general election of 2000, and was re-elected in 2004 and 2006, before being defeated in 2011.-Early life and career:...
by 15231 votes to 10675.
Newman returned to his legal practice after his defeat, in the restructured firm of Pitblado Hoskin Asper. In 2003, he was hired to represent Ken Courchene
Ken Courchene
Ken Courchene is a former Chief of the Fort Alexander Indian Band in the Canadian province of Manitoba. He has been sued by the federal government for his alleged role in the Virginia Fontaine Memorial Treatment Centre controversy.-Political career:...
, accused of mismanaging resources at the Virginia Fountaine Addiction Foundation in the Sagkeeng First Nation
Sagkeeng First Nation
The Sagkeeng First Nation is an Anishinaabe First Nation which holds territory east of Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. Sagkeeng, which was once called Fort Alexander, has an on-reserve population of approximately 3,000 people. Ojibwe is the name of the tribe that lives in Sagkeeng.There is a...
in northern Manitoba.
During the Conservative Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
's 2004 leadership race, Newman backed the unsuccessful candidacy of Tony Clement
Tony Clement
Tony Peter Clement, PC, MP is a Canadian federal politician, President of the Treasury Board, Minister for the Federal Economic Initiative for Northern Ontario and member of the Conservative Party of Canada....
.