Marcel Laurendeau
Encyclopedia
Marcel Laurendeau is a politician in Manitoba
, Canada
. He was a member of the Manitoba legislature from 1990 to 2003, representing the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
in the south-end Winnipeg riding of St. Norbert.
Laurendeau began his political career at the municipal level, having been elected to the Winnipeg City Council in 1988 (replacing John Angus, who had been elected to the provincial legislature). He was himself elected to the provincial legislature in the provincial election of 1990
, ironically defeating Liberal
Angus by 117 votes. For the next five years, Laurendeau was a backbench supporter of Premier
Gary Filmon
.
He was briefly kidnapped in his car in 1992, and subsequently called for greater security on the legislative grounds. In 1993, he supported Jean Charest
's bid for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
(Winnipeg Free Press, 12 June 1993).
Laurendeau was re-elected in the provincial election of 1995
, defeating Liberal challenger Val Thompson by 527 votes. He was named Deputy Speaker
on May 23, 1995, and held this position for the entirety of the parliament which followed.
The Progressive Conservatives were defeated in the provincial election of 1999
, although Laurendeau himself was re-elected with an increased majority. The social-democratic New Democratic Party
overtook the Liberals for second place in this cycle, as Marilyn Brick
came within 670 votes of defeating Laurendeau. Laurendeau served as opposition House Leader in the following parliament.
The NDP's strong showing in 1999 was regarded as surprising in some circles, as the party has not traditionally had a strong electoral base in south Winnipeg. The NDP targeted St. Norbert in the 2003 election
, with the result that Brick beat Laurendeau in a rematch, 3355 votes to 2610. After his defeat, he joined the Arbitration and Mediation Institute of Manitoba.
Laurendeau supported Stockwell Day
for the leadership of the Canadian Alliance
party in 2000 (Toronto Star, 10 May 2000).
He is now a member of the Liberal Party and is the party's candidate for the 2011 Provincial Election expected in 2011 for his old riding of St. Norbert. He left the Conservatives claiming it had become too right wing.
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 member of the Manitoba legislature from 1990 to 2003, representing the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
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 the south-end Winnipeg riding of St. Norbert.
Laurendeau began his political career at the municipal level, having been elected to the Winnipeg City Council in 1988 (replacing John Angus, who had been elected to the provincial legislature). He was himself elected to the provincial legislature 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...
, ironically defeating Liberal
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 :...
Angus by 117 votes. For the next five years, Laurendeau was a backbench supporter of 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"...
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:...
.
He was briefly kidnapped in his car in 1992, and subsequently called for greater security on the legislative grounds. In 1993, he supported Jean Charest
Jean Charest
John James "Jean" Charest, PC, MNA is a Canadian politician who has been the 29th Premier of Quebec since 2003. He was leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1993 to 1998 and has been leader of the Quebec Liberal Party since 1998....
's bid for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
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....
(Winnipeg Free Press, 12 June 1993).
Laurendeau was 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...
, defeating Liberal challenger Val Thompson by 527 votes. He was named Deputy 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...
on May 23, 1995, and held this position for the entirety of the parliament which followed.
The Progressive Conservatives were defeated 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....
, although Laurendeau himself was re-elected with an increased majority. The social-democratic 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...
overtook the Liberals for second place in this cycle, as Marilyn Brick
Marilyn Brick
Marilyn Brick is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. She is currently a member of the Manitoba legislature.Brick was educated at the University of Manitoba, graduating from the university's Bachelor of Physical Education program and receiving a Continuing Education Division Certificate in Human...
came within 670 votes of defeating Laurendeau. Laurendeau served as opposition House Leader in the following parliament.
The NDP's strong showing in 1999 was regarded as surprising in some circles, as the party has not traditionally had a strong electoral base in south Winnipeg. The NDP targeted St. Norbert in the 2003 election
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...
, with the result that Brick beat Laurendeau in a rematch, 3355 votes to 2610. After his defeat, he joined the Arbitration and Mediation Institute of Manitoba.
Laurendeau supported Stockwell Day
Stockwell Day
Stockwell Burt Day, Jr., PC, MP is a former Canadian politician, and a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. He is a former cabinet minister in Alberta, and a former leader of the Canadian Alliance. Day was MP for the riding of Okanagan—Coquihalla in British Columbia and the president of...
for the leadership of the Canadian Alliance
Canadian Alliance
The Canadian Alliance , formally the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance , was a Canadian conservative political party that existed from 2000 to 2003. The party was the successor to the Reform Party of Canada and inherited its position as the Official Opposition in the House of Commons and held...
party in 2000 (Toronto Star, 10 May 2000).
He is now a member of the Liberal Party and is the party's candidate for the 2011 Provincial Election expected in 2011 for his old riding of St. Norbert. He left the Conservatives claiming it had become too right wing.