Harry Graham
Encyclopedia
Harry Edward Graham is a retired politician
in Manitoba, Canada
. He served as a Progressive Conservative
member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
from 1969 to 1986.
Graham was educated at the University of Manitoba
, and worked as a farmer after his graduation. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Russell District Hospital, and was also the President of the Progressive Conservative
Association in the federal riding of Marquette.
He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in a by-election
on February 20, 1969, defeating Liberal Edward Shust in the riding of Birtle-Russell
. The riding had previously been held by the Liberals, and Graham's victory provided an impetus for Progressive Conservative Premier
Walter Weir
to call a general election later in the year.
The Tories were defeated by the New Democratic Party
in this election, and Graham nearly lost his own seat to NDP candidate Donald Kostesky. He was re-elected again by a slightly greater margin in the 1973 election
, which the NDP also won.
The Progressive Conservatives returned to power in the 1977 election
until Sterling Lyon
, as Graham again narrowly increased his margin of victory in Birtle-Russell. He was not appointed to cabinet
, but rather served as the Speaker
of the legislature from November 24, 1977 until 1981.
In 1980, Graham presided over the temporary expulsion from the legislature of Robert Wilson, who had been convicted of a criminal offence. Wilson was permanently expelled in 1981.
Graham won the easiest re-election victory of his career in the election of 1981
, running in the redistributed riding of Virden. Ironically, this occurred as the Progressive Conservatives lost government to the NDP. Graham served as an opposition member for the next five years, and did not seek re-election in 1986.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in Manitoba, 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 served 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:...
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 1969 to 1986.
Graham was 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 worked as a farmer after his graduation. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Russell District Hospital, and was also the President of the Progressive Conservative
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....
Association in the federal riding of Marquette.
He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
on February 20, 1969, defeating Liberal Edward Shust in the riding of Birtle-Russell
Birtle-Russell (Manitoba riding)
Birtle-Russell is a former provincial electoral division in Manitoba, Canada.Birtle-Russell was established in 1957, created by the first Independent Boundaries Commission in Manitoba. It was located in the western part of the province, on the border with Saskatchewan. It included the area around...
. The riding had previously been held by the Liberals, and Graham's victory provided an impetus for Progressive Conservative 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"...
Walter Weir
Walter Weir
Walter C. Weir was a politician who served as the 15th Premier of Manitoba from 1967 to 1969.Weir was born in High Bluff, Manitoba, and worked as a funeral director. He served as chairman of the Minnedosa Hospital Board from 1955 to 1957, and of the Minnedosa Town Council from 1958 to 1959...
to call a general election later in the year.
The Tories were defeated by the New Democratic Party
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...
in this election, and Graham nearly lost his own seat to NDP candidate Donald Kostesky. He was re-elected again by a slightly greater margin in the 1973 election
Manitoba general election, 1973
The Manitoba General Election of June 28, 1973 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It was won by the social-democratic New Democratic Party, which took 31 of 57 seats...
, which the NDP also won.
The Progressive Conservatives returned to power in the 1977 election
Manitoba general election, 1977
The Manitoba general election of October 11, 1977 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 33 seats out of 57...
until Sterling Lyon
Sterling Lyon
Sterling Rufus Lyon, PC, OC was a lawyer, cabinet minister, and the 17th Premier of Manitoba, Canada from 1977 to 1981. His government introduced several fiscally-conservative measures, and was sometimes seen as a local version of the government of Margaret Thatcher in the United Kingdom...
, as Graham again narrowly increased his margin of victory in Birtle-Russell. He was not appointed to cabinet
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 :...
, but rather served as the Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
of the legislature from November 24, 1977 until 1981.
In 1980, Graham presided over the temporary expulsion from the legislature of Robert Wilson, who had been convicted of a criminal offence. Wilson was permanently expelled in 1981.
Graham won the easiest re-election victory of his career in the election of 1981
Manitoba general election, 1981
The Manitoba general election of November 17, 1981 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It was won by the opposition New Democratic Party, which took 34 of 57 seats. The governing Progressive Conservative Party took the remaining 23, while the...
, running in the redistributed riding of Virden. Ironically, this occurred as the Progressive Conservatives lost government to the NDP. Graham served as an opposition member for the next five years, and did not seek re-election in 1986.