Christine Melnick

Christine "Chris" Melnick (born 1950) MLA is a former politician in Manitoba, Canada. She is a former cabinet minister in the government of New Democratic Party (NDP) Premier Greg Selinger.[1][2]

Christine Melnick
Manitoba Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism
In office
January 13, 2012 – October 18, 2013
PremierGreg Selinger
Preceded byJennifer Howard
Succeeded byErna Braun
Manitoba Minister of Water Stewardship
In office
September 21, 2006 – January 13, 2012
PremierGary Doer
Greg Selinger
Preceded bySteve Ashton
Succeeded byMinistry Abolished
Manitoba Minister of Family Services and Housing
In office
November 4, 2003 – September 21, 2006
PremierGary Doer
Preceded byDrew Caldwell
Succeeded byGord Mackintosh
Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly
for Riel
In office
June 3, 2003 – April 19, 2016
Preceded byLinda Asper
Succeeded byRochelle Squires
Personal details
Political partyNew Democratic Party
Alma materUniversity of Manitoba
Dalhousie University
OccupationLibrarian, researcher
Websitechristinemelnick.ca

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Melnick received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba and subsequently received a master's degree in library and information science from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. She has worked for a variety of businesses in the private and public sectors, with experience such fields as in education, advertising and offshore oil. Prior to entering provincial politics, she was employed as a librarian and researcher at the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre, and was a School Trustee for the Louis Riel School Division of Winnipeg. She was also active in women's health, human rights, literacy and environmental issues, and sat on the province's Council on Post-Secondary Education.[1]

Melnick was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in 2003, replacing retiring NDP Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Linda Asper in the south Winnipeg riding of Riel.[3] She received 4,393 votes, against 3,171 for her Progressive Conservative opponent, Shirley Render.[4] Following the election, she was appointed Minister of Family Services and Housing, with responsibility for Persons with Disabilities.[5]

She was re-elected in the 2007 provincial election and again in 2011.[2]

In September 2007, she was appointed Minister of Water Stewardship replacing Steve Ashton.[2] In January 2012, Melnick was appointed Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism.[6] Melnick was shuffled from cabinet in October 2013 along with other veteran ministers Nancy Allan and Jim Rondeau.

On February 4, 2014, Selinger removed Melnick from the NDP caucus after she claimed she was told to act as a scapegoat for the premier relating to a controversy surrounding invitations issued to a legislative debate.[7] On November 13, 2014, Melnick was welcomed back into the caucus but without the ability to attend caucus meetings.

References
  1. "Cabinet Ministers: Christine Melnick". Government of Manitoba. Archived from the original on December 16, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  2. "MLA Biographies - Living". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  3. "City a fortress for the NDP". Winnipeg Free Press. June 4, 2003. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  4. "Election Results". Winnipeg Free Press. June 4, 2003. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  5. "Highest-priority posts unchanged". Winnipeg Free Press. November 5, 2003. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  6. Kusch, Larry; Owen, Bruce (January 14, 2012). "Rookies join cabinet in shuffle". Winnipeg Free Press. p. A1. Retrieved June 29, 2012. [Melnick] relinquishes Water Stewardship to tackle both Immigration and Multiculturalism, both flagship departments as the province continues to bring more newcomers to Manitoba.
  7. Kusch, Larry (2014-02-04). "Selinger removes Melnick from caucus". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
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