Leonard Barkman
Encyclopedia
Leonard A. Barkman was a politician
in Manitoba, Canada
. He was a member of the Manitoba legislature from 1962 to 1973, sitting as a member of the Liberal Party
.
Barkman was educated in Steinbach-area schools, and operated a small business in the city and married Agnes Barkman in 1945 (she died May 2, 2000). He also served as mayor
of Steinbach for a number of years.
He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the election of 1962
, defeating Progressive Conservative
Peter Thiessen by over 800 votes in the riding
of Carillon
. He was re-elected by an expanded margin in the 1966 election
. In the 1969 election
, he was re-elected in the redistributed riding of La Verendrye.
Support for the Manitoba Liberal Party declined in the 1970s, and Barkman was defeated by Progressive Conservative Robert Banman
by 525 votes in the provincial election of 1973
. He did not seek a return to the legislature after this time.
A public park located in the western portion of the city of Steinbach
is named after L.A. Barkman. A plaque in honour of Barkman—near the southeast corner of the park—reads, "L.A. Barkman (1920-1979); Councillor 1952-1958; Mayor 1958-1970; MLA 1962-1973. A life dedicated to public service." L.A. Barkman Park contains a famous landmark known as "Abe's Hill," which serves as an ideal toboggan hill in the winter months.
This park recently became the subject of a controversy, regarding its use as a purely recreational park. In 1973, when the land was sold to the then "town" of Steinbach, the mayor at the time, A.D. Penner, had agreed verbally that the entire resulting park would remain strictly recreational. In Dec. 2008, however, the City Council decided to proceed with the residential development of a two acre strip of land along the northern boundary of L.A. Barkman Park, fronting the extension of Woodhaven Ave., against the wishes of the original owner of the property, Justice Gordon J. Barkman, who had formerly served as a justice on Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench
(1972-2001). Ultimately, due to a lack of response to the Request for Proposals, Council voted not to proceed with this development. A proposed project of multi-dwelling units just outside of the park boundaries, accessible by the extension of Woodhaven Ave., is under review by Council.
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 was a member of the Manitoba legislature from 1962 to 1973, sitting as a member of the Liberal Party
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 :...
.
Barkman was educated in Steinbach-area schools, and operated a small business in the city and married Agnes Barkman in 1945 (she died May 2, 2000). He also 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 Steinbach for a number of years.
He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the election of 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...
, defeating 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:...
Peter Thiessen by over 800 votes in the riding
Electoral district (Canada)
An electoral district in Canada, also known as a constituency or a riding, is a geographical constituency upon which Canada's representative democracy is based...
of Carillon
Carillon (Manitoba riding)
Carillon is a former provincial electoral division in Manitoba, Canada.It was established for the 1886 provincial election, and eliminated with the 1969 election. The constituency was predominantly francophone...
. He was re-elected by an expanded margin 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...
. In the 1969 election
Manitoba general election, 1969
The Manitoba General Election of June 25, 1969 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Canadian province of Manitoba. It was a watershed moment in the province's political history. The social-democratic New Democratic Party emerged for the first time as the largest party in...
, he was re-elected in the redistributed riding of La Verendrye.
Support for the Manitoba Liberal Party declined in the 1970s, and Barkman was defeated by Progressive Conservative Robert Banman
Robert Banman
Robert Banman is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1977 to 1986, and served as a cabinet minister in the government of Sterling Lyon....
by 525 votes in the provincial election of 1973
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...
. He did not seek a return to the legislature after this time.
A public park located in the western portion of the city of Steinbach
Steinbach, Manitoba
Steinbach is a city of approx. 13,500 people in the southeast corner of the province of Manitoba, Canada, a short distance from the capital Winnipeg. Steinbach is the largest community in the Eastman region of Manitoba. The city is located in the R.M. of Hanover and bordered to the east by the R.M...
is named after L.A. Barkman. A plaque in honour of Barkman—near the southeast corner of the park—reads, "L.A. Barkman (1920-1979); Councillor 1952-1958; Mayor 1958-1970; MLA 1962-1973. A life dedicated to public service." L.A. Barkman Park contains a famous landmark known as "Abe's Hill," which serves as an ideal toboggan hill in the winter months.
This park recently became the subject of a controversy, regarding its use as a purely recreational park. In 1973, when the land was sold to the then "town" of Steinbach, the mayor at the time, A.D. Penner, had agreed verbally that the entire resulting park would remain strictly recreational. In Dec. 2008, however, the City Council decided to proceed with the residential development of a two acre strip of land along the northern boundary of L.A. Barkman Park, fronting the extension of Woodhaven Ave., against the wishes of the original owner of the property, Justice Gordon J. Barkman, who had formerly served as a justice on Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench
Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba
The Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba is the superior court of the Canadian province of Manitoba...
(1972-2001). Ultimately, due to a lack of response to the Request for Proposals, Council voted not to proceed with this development. A proposed project of multi-dwelling units just outside of the park boundaries, accessible by the extension of Woodhaven Ave., is under review by Council.