Harry Graham (Manitoba politician)

Harry Graham
Harry Graham
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Birtle-Russell
	In office; 1966–1986
Preceded by	Rod Clement
Succeeded by	None
23rd Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
	In office; November 24, 1977 – 1981
Preceded by	Peter Fox
Succeeded by	Jim Walding
Personal details
Born	December 26, 1921; Earl Grey, Saskatchewan
Died	September 21, 2006 (aged 84); Russell, Manitoba
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Alma mater	University of Manitoba, University of Arizona, University of Colorado
Occupation	agrologist

Harry Edward Graham (December 26, 1921 in Foxwarren, Manitoba – September 21, 2006 in Russell, Manitoba[1]) is a retired politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served as a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1969 to 1986.[2]

The son of George Malcolm Graham and Margaret Leckie, he was educated at the University of Manitoba, and worked as a farmer after his graduation. Graham served as Vice-Chairman of the Russell District Hospital, and was also the President of the Progressive Conservative Association in the federal riding of Marquette. In 1951, he married Velma Louise Murdoch.[3]

He first entered politics while helping a friend, Dr. Vern Rosnoski, who was a dentist, run for office. After Rosnoski couldn't find a dentist to take over his practice who could use left-handed tools, Graham ran in his place.[4]

He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in a by-election on February 20, 1969, defeating Liberal Edward Shust in the riding of Birtle-Russell.[5] The riding had previously been held by the Liberals, and Graham's victory provided an impetus for Progressive Conservative Premier Walter Weir to call a general election later in the year.

The Tories were defeated by the New Democratic Party in this election, and Graham nearly lost his own seat to NDP candidate Donald Kostesky. He was re-elected again by a slightly greater margin in the 1973 election, which the NDP also won.[2]

The Progressive Conservatives returned to power in the 1977 election until Sterling Lyon, as Graham again narrowly increased his margin of victory in Birtle-Russell. He was not appointed to cabinet,[2] but rather served as the Speaker of the legislature from November 24, 1977 until 1981.[1]

In 1980, Graham presided over the temporary expulsion from the legislature of Robert Wilson, who had been convicted of a criminal offence. Wilson was permanently expelled in 1981.

Graham won the easiest re-election victory of his career in the election of 1981, running in the redistributed riding of Virden. Ironically, this occurred as the Progressive Conservatives lost government to the NDP. Graham served as an opposition member for the next five years, and did not seek re-election in 1986.[2]

He died at Russell District Hospital after a lengthy illness.[6]

Electoral record

1969 Manitoba general election: Birtle-Russell
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Harry Graham	2,374	39.59
	New Democratic	Donald Kostesky	2,263	37.74
	Liberal	John Braendle	1,360	22.68
Total valid votes			5,997	100.00
Rejected and discarded votes			12
Turnout			6,009	72.47
Electors on the lists			8,292

Manitoba provincial by-election, February 20, 1969: Birtle-Russell
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Progressive Conservative	Harry Graham	2,117	46.46		$1,500.98
	Liberal	Edward Shust	1,406	30.85	–	$2,476.39
	New Democratic	Donald Kostesky	1,034	22.69		$1,248.00
Total valid votes			4,557	100
Rejected and discarded votes			23
Turnout			4,580	76.30
Electors on the lists			6,003

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References

"Memorable Manitobans: Harry Edward Graham (1921-2006)". The Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
"MLA Biographies - Deceased". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
"CPA Activities: The Canadian Scene". Canadian Parliamentary Review. 1 (1). June 1978. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
"Hansard". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. September 16, 2008. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
Graham defeated high-school teacher Harvey Smith and St. Lazare electrician Todd Dupont for the nomination. See Winnipeg Free Press, 10 January 1969, pp. 1, 10.
"Harry Graham". Winnipeg Free Press. September 28, 2006. Retrieved 2013-12-11.

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[mhs-1] "Memorable Manitobans: Harry Edward Graham (1921-2006)". The Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved 30 October 2013.

[members-2] "MLA Biographies - Deceased". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Retrieved 2013-12-03.

[cpr-3] "CPA Activities: The Canadian Scene". Canadian Parliamentary Review. 1 (1). June 1978. Retrieved 2013-12-11.

[4] "Hansard". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. September 16, 2008. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved 2013-12-11.

[5] Graham defeated high-school teacher Harvey Smith and St. Lazare electrician Todd Dupont for the nomination. See Winnipeg Free Press, 10 January 1969, pp. 1, 10.

[6] "Harry Graham". Winnipeg Free Press. September 28, 2006. Retrieved 2013-12-11.