Eric Robinson (Canadian politician)

Eric Robinson (born February 5, 1953)[1] is an Aboriginal politician in Manitoba, Canada.[2][3] He was previously a member of the Manitoba legislature, and a cabinet minister in the New Democratic government of Greg Selinger.[3]

Eric Robinson
Deputy Premier of Manitoba
In office
November 3, 2009  May 3, 2016
Serving with Rosann Wowchuk until 2011
PremierGreg Selinger
Preceded byRosann Wowchuk
Succeeded byHeather Stefanson
Manitoba Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs
Assumed office
November 3, 2009
PremierGreg Selinger
Preceded byOscar Lathlin
In office
October 5, 1999  September 25, 2002
PremierGary Doer
Preceded byDavid Newman
Succeeded byOscar Lathlin
Manitoba Minister of Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport
In office
September 25, 2002  November 3, 2009
PremierGary Doer
Preceded byRon Lemieux
Succeeded byFlor Marcelino
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
In office
October 4, 2011  April 19, 2016
Preceded bynew constituency
Succeeded byJudy Klassen
ConstituencyKewatinook
In office
September 21, 1993  October 4, 2011
Preceded byElijah Harper
Succeeded byconstituency abolished
ConstituencyRupertsland
Personal details
Born (1953-02-05) February 5, 1953
Norway House, Manitoba
Political partyNew Democratic Party

Born in Norway House, Manitoba, he was placed in a residential school at the age of five.[1] Robinson is a member of the Cross Lake First Nation,[3] covered under Treaty 5.[4] Robinson worked at a variety of jobs including dishwasher in Churchill, an addiction counsellor in British Columbia and a radio disc jockey. He has been active in Aboriginal issues for several years, and has worked for the Assembly of First Nations and the Brotherhood of Indian Nations, as well as other organizations promoting native rights within Canada.[1]

Before entering provincial politics, Robinson was also a producer and broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation,[3] and worked for Native Communications Incorporated. In 1985, he co-authored a work entitled Infested Blanket, an historical indictment of the Canadian government's past dealings with Aboriginal peoples.[5]

Robinson entered provincial politics on September 21, 1993, winning a by-election in the northern riding of Rupertsland[2] (he replaced Elijah Harper in the assembly).[6] Running for the NDP, Robinson received 1697 votes; his closest opponent, Liberal George Munroe, received 1023.

Robinson was easily re-elected in the provincial election of 1995,[7] and served as the NDP's critic for Aboriginal and Northern Affairs.[3] Also in 1995, he supported Lorne Nystrom for leader of the federal New Democratic Party.

After the NDP won a majority government in the 1999 election,[8] Premier Gary Doer named Robinson Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs with responsibility for the Communities Economic Development Fund on October 5, 1999.[2] Following a cabinet shuffle on September 25, 2002, he became Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism with responsibility for Sport.[2]

In 2003, Robinson supported Bill Blaikie's campaign to become leader of the federal NDP.[9] In the 2003 provincial election, Robinson was re-elected with over 86% of the vote in his riding.[10] He was returned again in the 2007 election.[11] In 2007, he was reassigned as Minister of Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport.[2]

Election history

2016 Manitoba general election

2016 Manitoba general election: Kewatinook
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalJudy Klassen1,56549.73+48.37$30,958.72
New DemocraticEric Robinson1,20738.35–18.46$34,619.23
Progressive ConservativeEdna Nabess37511.92–26.70$24,449.08
Total valid votes 3,147100.0  
Total rejected and declined ballots 1354.11
Turnout 3,28224.31
Eligible voters 13,500
Liberal gain from New Democratic Swing +33.42
Source: Elections Manitoba[12][13]

2011 Manitoba general election

2011 Manitoba general election: Kewatinook
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticEric Robinson2,04356.81−1.40$39,824.28
Progressive ConservativeMichael Birch1,38938.62+2.87$35,204.76
GreenPhilip Green942.61$1,571.33
LiberalOrville Woodford491.36−4.26$0
Total valid votes 3,574 99.39
Rejected and declined ballots 22
Turnout 3,59635.68
Electors on the lists 10,081
New Democratic hold Swing -
Source: Elections Manitoba[14]

2007 Manitoba general election

2007 Manitoba general election: Rupertsland
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticEric Robinson2,09258.21$23,296.64
Progressive ConservativeDavid Harper1,28535.75$8,233.12
LiberalEarl Fontaine2025.62$3,911.36
Total valid votes 3,579 99.58
Rejected and declined ballots 15
Turnout 3,594 33.34
Electors on the lists 10,780
New Democratic hold Swing -

Source:Elections Manitoba[15]

2003 Manitoba general election

2003 Manitoba general election: Rupertsland
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticEric Robinson2,20387.52+28.23$17,690.80
LiberalOrville Woodford1626.43-14.36$2,564.46
Progressive ConservativeCory Phillips1526.04-13.87$450.94
New Democratic hold Swing -
Source: Elections Manitoba[16]

1999 Manitoba general election

1999 Manitoba general election: Rupertsland
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticEric Robinson2,00758.94$25,058.00
LiberalDarcy Wood70820.79$28,387.14
Progressive ConservativeFred Harper67819.91$31,774.52
Total valid votes 3,392 99.62
Rejected and declined ballots 12
Turnout 3,405 38.72
Electors on the lists 8,793

References

  1. "A mom beaten, a son changed". Winnipeg Free Press. August 29, 2013. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
  2. "MLA Biographies - Living". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. November 4, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  3. "Eric Robinson". Province of Manitoba. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  4. "Lands". Cross Lake Band. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  5. Robinson, Eric; Quinney, Henry Bird (1985). The infested blanket: Canada's constitution, genocide of Indian nations. Winnipeg, Manitoba: Queenston House Pub. ISBN 978-0-920273-00-5.
  6. "Manitoba Votes 2003 - Riding Profiles: Rupertsland". CBC News. 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  7. "Results - 1995 General Election". Elections Manitoba. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  8. "Manitoba Chooses NDP" (fee required). The Hamilton Spectator. Canadian Press. September 22, 1999. section C, p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  9. "Cross Canada Support for Bill". Bill Blaikie, ElmwoodTranscona. Archived from the original on April 1, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  10. "Electoral Division of Rupertsland: Summary of Official Results". Official Results — 38th General Election. Elections Manitoba. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  11. "Rupertsland: Summary of Official Results". Official Results — 39th General Election. Elections Manitoba. Archived from the original on October 9, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  12. "Candidates: 41st General Election". Elections Manitoba. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  13. "41st General Election Official Results" (PDF). Elections Manitoba. 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  14. "Candidates: 41st General Election". Elections Manitoba. 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  15. http://www.electionsmanitoba.ca/en/Results/39_division_results/39_rupertsland_summary_results.html - 2007 results
  16. "Candidates: 41st General Election". Elections Manitoba. 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
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