John Christianson
Encyclopedia
John Aaron Christianson Born November 23, 1923 in Langruth, Manitoba
, Canada
-Died December 15, 2010 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
, Canada
. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
as a Progressive Conservative
from 1959 to 1962 and was a cabinet minister in the government of Dufferin Roblin
.
Christianson was educated at the University of Manitoba
, earning a Bachelor of Science
degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as an automobile and implement agent, and was the president of Christianson Ltd. and Koko Platz Development Ltd. From 1942 to 1945, he served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force
. Concurrent with his career in provincial politics, he was a city alderman
in Portage La Prairie
in 1959-60.
He was elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1959 provincial election
, defeating incumbent Liberal-Progressive
Charles Greenlay
by 473 votes in the Portage La Prairie constituency. He was appointed to Roblin's cabinet on October 25, 1961 as Minister of Welfare.
Christianson's time in office was brief, as he narrowly lost his seat to Liberal candidate Gordon Johnston
in the 1962 election
. He formally resigned from cabinet on February 27, 1963. He attempted a return to the legislature in the 1966 election
, but again lost to Johnston by an increased margin. Some believe Christianson lost his riding because of local opposition to the Portage Diversion flood relief project.
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...
-Died December 15, 2010 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...
, 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 in 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...
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:...
from 1959 to 1962 and was a cabinet minister in the government of 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...
.
Christianson 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...
, earning a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as an automobile and implement agent, and was the president of Christianson Ltd. and Koko Platz Development Ltd. From 1942 to 1945, he served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
. Concurrent with his career in provincial politics, he was a city alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
in Portage La Prairie
Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
-Transportation:Portage la Prairie railway station is served by Via Rail with both The Canadian and Winnipeg – Churchill trains calling at the station....
in 1959-60.
He was elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1959 provincial election
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...
, defeating incumbent Liberal-Progressive
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 :...
Charles Greenlay
Charles Greenlay
Charles Edwin Greenlay was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as a from 1943 to 1959, and was a cabinet minister in the governments of Stuart Garson and Douglas Campbell.-Early life:Born at High Bluff, on 8 June 1899, son of Gardner Greenlay and...
by 473 votes in the Portage La Prairie constituency. He was appointed to Roblin's cabinet on October 25, 1961 as Minister of Welfare.
Christianson's time in office was brief, as he narrowly lost his seat to Liberal candidate Gordon Johnston
Gordon Johnston
Gordon Ellwood Johnston was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1962 to 1977....
in the 1962 election
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...
. He formally resigned from cabinet on February 27, 1963. He attempted a return to the legislature 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...
, but again lost to Johnston by an increased margin. Some believe Christianson lost his riding because of local opposition to the Portage Diversion flood relief project.