Len Derkach
Encyclopedia
Len Derkach is a politician in Manitoba
, Canada
. He was a cabinet minister in the government of Gary Filmon
, and is currently a member of the Manitoba legislature.
Derkach was born in Rossburn
, Manitoba, and was educated at Brandon University
. He worked as a teacher and farmer before entering provincial politics. He was also a school board trustee on the Pelly Trail School Board from 1979 to 1985, serving as chair from 1982 to 1985.
In 1986, Derkach was elected to the provincial legislature as a Progressive Conservative
in Roblin-Russell, a rural riding in the province's southwest. Derkach defeated his New Democratic
opponent, Fred Embryk, by 3241 votes to 3203. The NDP won the election, and Derkach became an opposition MLA.
The Progressive Conservatives won the provincial election of 1988, and Derkach was re-elected in Roblin-Russell by an increased margin (with the Liberals
overtaking the NDP for second place). When Gary Filmon was sworn in as Premier
on May 9, 1988, Derkach was named Minister of Education (which was renamed Minister of Education and Training on April 21, 1989). In this capacity, he increased funding for the province's private schools.
Derkach was easily re-elected in the provincial election of 1990
. After a cabinet shuffle on January 14, 1992, he was named Minister of Rural Development. He was again re-elected in the provincial election of 1995
, once more defeating Fred Embryk.
The Progressive Conservatives were defeated by the New Democrats in the provincial election of 1999
. Derkach was re-elected in the renamed riding of Russell by a reduced margin, defeating New Democrat Vince Lelond by 4397 votes to 3802. He resigned from cabinet with the rest of the Filmon ministry after the election.
Derkach served as opposition critic on matters relating to education and Manitoba's growing casino
economy, and was re-elected by an increased margin in the general election of 2003
, despite the poor province-wide showing of the Progressive Conservative Party.
In addition to serving as a cabinet minister, Derkach also served as Director of the Canada Ukraine Legislative Education Project while in government. He was re-elected in the 2007 election
.
In 2011, Derkach announced he would not seek a eighth term in the legislature.
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...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He was a cabinet minister in the government of 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:...
, and is currently a member of the Manitoba legislature.
Derkach was born in Rossburn
Rossburn, Manitoba
Rossburn is a town in Manitoba, located near Waywayseecappo First Nation. The town is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Rossburn.-External links:*...
, Manitoba, and was educated at Brandon University
Brandon University
Brandon University is a Canadian university located in the city of Brandon, Manitoba, with an enrolment of 3383 full-time and part-time students. The current location was founded on July 13, 1899, as Brandon College as a Baptist institution. It was chartered as a university by then President Dr....
. He worked as a teacher and farmer before entering provincial politics. He was also a school board trustee on the Pelly Trail School Board from 1979 to 1985, serving as chair from 1982 to 1985.
In 1986, Derkach was elected to the provincial legislature 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:...
in Roblin-Russell, a rural riding in the province's southwest. Derkach defeated his New Democratic
New Democratic Party of Manitoba
The New Democratic Party of Manitoba is a social-democratic political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is the provincial wing of the federal New Democratic Party, and is a successor to the Manitoba Co-operative Commonwealth Federation...
opponent, Fred Embryk, by 3241 votes to 3203. The NDP won the election, and Derkach became an opposition MLA.
The Progressive Conservatives won the provincial election of 1988, and Derkach was re-elected in Roblin-Russell by an increased margin (with the Liberals
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 :...
overtaking the NDP for second place). When Gary Filmon was sworn in as Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
on May 9, 1988, Derkach was named Minister of Education (which was renamed Minister of Education and Training on April 21, 1989). In this capacity, he increased funding for the province's private schools.
Derkach was easily re-elected in the provincial election of 1990
Manitoba general election, 1990
The Manitoba general election of September 11, 1990 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative Party, which took 30 out of 57 seats...
. After a cabinet shuffle on January 14, 1992, he was named Minister of Rural Development. He was again re-elected in the provincial election of 1995
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...
, once more defeating Fred Embryk.
The Progressive Conservatives were defeated by the New Democrats in the provincial election of 1999
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....
. Derkach was re-elected in the renamed riding of Russell by a reduced margin, defeating New Democrat Vince Lelond by 4397 votes to 3802. He resigned from cabinet with the rest of the Filmon ministry after the election.
Derkach served as opposition critic on matters relating to education and Manitoba's growing casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
economy, and was re-elected by an increased margin in the general election of 2003
Manitoba general election, 2003
The Manitoba general election held on June 3, 2003 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It was won by the New Democratic Party, which won 35 seats out of 57. The Progressive Conservative Party finished second with twenty seats...
, despite the poor province-wide showing of the Progressive Conservative Party.
In addition to serving as a cabinet minister, Derkach also served as Director of the Canada Ukraine Legislative Education Project while in government. He was re-elected in the 2007 election
Manitoba general election, 2007
The Manitoba general election held on May 22, 2007 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It was won by the New Democratic Party, which won 36 seats out of 57. The Progressive Conservative Party finished second with nineteen seats. The Liberal...
.
In 2011, Derkach announced he would not seek a eighth term in the legislature.