Harry Shewman
Encyclopedia
Harold Proctor Shewman was a politician
in Manitoba, Canada
. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
from 1949 until his death in 1968.
Shewman was educated at Wellington School in Winnipeg, and worked as an auctioneer-agent. He was a school trustee from 1925 to 1938, and served as mayor
of the Town of Morris
from 1948 to 1954, coinciding with his early period in the legislature.
Shewman was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1949 provincial election
. At that time, Manitoba was governed by a coalition of the province's Liberal-Progressives
(commonly called Liberals) and Progressive Conservatives
. Shewman ran as an independent candidate in Morris, and defeated coalitionist John C. Dryden
by 153 votes. Shewman was initially identified as a coalition supporter, but had turned to the opposition side by 1950.
In 1950, Shewman called on Premier
Douglas Campbell
to declare a state of emergency over rising flood waters. Campbell delayed, which resulted in a number of municipalities being left ineligible for federal relief.
Shewman was re-elected in the 1953 general election
, again as an independent. He was not opposed by the Progressive Conservatives (who left the coalition government 1950), and seems to have been at least tacitly supported by that party. He formally joined the Progressive Conservatives in 1954, after Dufferin Roblin
was chosen as the party's leader.
The Progressive Conservatives made significant gains in the 1958 provincial election
, and formed a minority government
after the vote. Shewman was easily re-elected under the PC banner, and was again returned without difficulty in the elections of 1959
and 1962
. In the 1966 election
, he defeated Liberal Bruce McKenzie by the reduced margin of 230 votes.
He served on the backbenches throughout his time in parliament, and was never appointed to a cabinet position.
Shewman died in 1968. The Morris constituency has remained in Progressive Conservative hands since this time.
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 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 1949 until his death in 1968.
Shewman was educated at Wellington School in Winnipeg, and worked as an auctioneer-agent. He was a school trustee from 1925 to 1938, and served as mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the Town of Morris
Morris, Manitoba
Morris is a small town of about 1700 people in the Pembina Valley region of Manitoba, Canada, located about 50 km south of Winnipeg and 50 km north of Emerson. Morris is host to the annual Manitoba Stampede & Exhibition. Highway 75 which turns in to Interstate 29 is the major highway...
from 1948 to 1954, coinciding with his early period in the legislature.
Shewman was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1949 provincial election
Manitoba general election, 1949
Manitoba's general election of November 10, 1949 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada.This election pitted the province's coalition government, made up of the Liberal-Progressive Party and the Progressive Conservative Party, against a variety of...
. At that time, Manitoba was governed by a coalition of the province's Liberal-Progressives
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 :...
(commonly called Liberals) and Progressive Conservatives
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:...
. Shewman ran as an independent candidate in Morris, and defeated coalitionist John C. Dryden
John C. Dryden
John Cameron Dryden was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1941 to 1949, and was a cabinet minister in the governments of Stuart Garson and Douglas Campbell.Dryden was educated at the Manitoba Agricultural College, and worked as a farmer...
by 153 votes. Shewman was initially identified as a coalition supporter, but had turned to the opposition side by 1950.
In 1950, Shewman called on Premier
Premier of Manitoba
The Premier of Manitoba is the first minister for the Canadian province of Manitoba. He or she is the province's head of government and de facto chief executive. Until the early 1970s, the title "Prime Minister of Manitoba" was used frequently. Afterwards, the word Premier, derived from the French...
Douglas Campbell
Douglas Lloyd Campbell
Douglas Lloyd Campbell, OC was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served as the 13th Premier of Manitoba from 1948 to 1958...
to declare a state of emergency over rising flood waters. Campbell delayed, which resulted in a number of municipalities being left ineligible for federal relief.
Shewman was re-elected in the 1953 general election
Manitoba general election, 1953
Manitoba's general election of June 8, 1953 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. This was the first election held in Manitoba after the breakup of a ten-year coalition government led by the Liberal-Progressives and Progressive Conservatives...
, again as an independent. He was not opposed by the Progressive Conservatives (who left the coalition government 1950), and seems to have been at least tacitly supported by that party. He formally joined the Progressive Conservatives in 1954, after Dufferin Roblin
Dufferin Roblin
Dufferin "Duff" Roblin, PC, CC, OM was a Canadian businessman and politician. Known as "Duff," he served as the 14th Premier of Manitoba from 1958 to 1967. Roblin was appointed to the Canadian Senate on the advice of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. In the government of Brian Mulroney, he served as...
was chosen as the party's leader.
The Progressive Conservatives made significant gains in the 1958 provincial election
Manitoba general election, 1958
Manitoba's general election of June 16, 1958 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada.This election was the first to be held in Manitoba after a comprehensive electoral redistribution in 1956...
, and formed a minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
after the vote. Shewman was easily re-elected under the PC banner, and was again returned without difficulty in the elections of 1959
Manitoba general election, 1959
Manitoba's general election of May 14, 1959 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It resulted in a majority victory for the Progressive Conservative Party under the leadership of Dufferin Roblin...
and 1962
Manitoba general election, 1962
Manitoba's general election of December 16, 1962 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It resulted in a second majority victory for the Progressive Conservative Party under the leadership of Dufferin Roblin...
. In the 1966 election
Manitoba general election, 1966
The Manitoba general election held on June 23, 1966, was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It resulted in a third consecutive majority win for the Progressive Conservative Party led by Dufferin Roblin...
, he defeated Liberal Bruce McKenzie by the reduced margin of 230 votes.
He served on the backbenches throughout his time in parliament, and was never appointed to a cabinet position.
Shewman died in 1968. The Morris constituency has remained in Progressive Conservative hands since this time.