Ridings
223 Selkirk-Interlake
2006 Candidates:
RIDING PROFILE
This riding is just north of Winnipeg between Lake Manitoba and Lake
Winnipegosis in the west and Lake Winnipeg in the east. It includes Selkirk,
Beausejour, Stonewall, Gimli, Reindeer Island and the Peguis Reserve. Grindstone
and Hecla Island Provincial Parks are in the eastern part of the riding.
Agriculture (mainly grain and cattle) and related industries are the economic mainstays in this riding, followed by health and social services.
The aboriginal population is more than nine per cent. Only 10 per cent of
the population cited their ethnic origin as Canadian. The average family
income was $56,036 in 2001 and the unemployment rate was 7.3 per cent.
Selkirk-Interlake was a riding from 1976 to 1986, when it was divided
into Portage-Interlake (58 per cent) and Selkirk-Red River (38 per cent).
Selkirk-Interlake was re-established in 1996 from 58 per cent of Portage-Interlake
and 47 per cent of Selkirk-Red River. In 2004, it added 1.5 per cent of
Churchill and a tiny portion of Provencher.
Political History
In 2004, Conservative James Bezan defeated New Democrat Duane Nicol by
8, 211 votes. Before that, the riding was served by Howard Hilstrom
for two terms, first as a Reform MP, then for the Canadian Alliance.
In 1988 in Portage-Interlake, PC Felix Holtmann, incumbent from Selkirk-Interlake,
won. In 1993, Liberal Jon Gerrard defeated Reform candidate Don Sawatsky
by 4,705 votes. Gerrard was appointed minister of state for science, research
and development in 1993 and added western economic diversification in
1996.
In Selkirk-Red River in 1988, PC David Bjornson defeated New Democrat
Howard Pawley by 3,914 votes. Pawley was the Manitoba premier from 1981
until 1988, when his government was defeated.
In 1993, Liberal Ron Fewchuk defeated New Democrat Jason Schreyer by
3,488 votes.
Selkirk-Interlake:
1997 - REF
2000 - CA
2004 - CON
CANDIDATE PROFILES
Anthony Barendregt
Party: Christian Heritage Party
Birth date: 1961
Birthplace: B.C.
Profession: Construction contractor
Marital status: Married
Name of spouse: Alida
Children: eight
Career background: Owns a 40-acre hobby farm in the Selkirk-Interlake area. After his university training, he entered the world of construction and is now self-employed in the construction industry. He has been supervisor, foreman and contractor on several major commercial construction sites. He has worked in 10 different native communities and reserves.
Community activities: He has been the leader and president of various teen and young adult groups in his local church community. Several summer months were spent serving the disabled in a residence near New Westminster, B.C. He has also volunteered in mission work and other projects in native communities.
Electoral History
Federal: Defeated in Selkirk-Interlake in 2000 and 2004
Tel: (204) 265-3422
James Bezan
Party: Conservative Party of Canada
Birth date: May 19, 1965
Age: 40
Birthplace: Russell, Man.
Education: Holds a diploma in agriculture production and majored in livestock technology at Olds College in Alberta
Profession: farmer
Marital status: Married
Name of spouse: Kelly Murray
Children: Cortney, Taylor and Cassidy
Career background: Worked for the Red River Feedlot in Sanford, Man., as the animal health foreman and was responsible for its animal health program. In 1987, he was working for the Interlake Livestock and Forage Improvement Association as manager for Gunton Bull test station. In 1996, he started IBG Global Livestock, a livestock exporting company and Cattlest Services, a consulting company. From spring of 2000 to May 2003, he and his wife ran Cattlest Services and exported dairy cattle mainly to the U.S., Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the occasional truckload to Mexico. In May 2003, after the start of the BSE crisis, he was hired by the Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation as a crop adjuster and sales assistant. He and his wife operate a farm in the Teulon area - over 70 cow/calf pairs and 600 acres of deeded and leased pastureland. He served as CEO of the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association. He sat on numerous federal and provincial boards and committees, including the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, the Canadian Cattle Options pilot program, the Western Canada Beef research committee, the National advisory Board on Beef Cattle Improvement, the Manitoba Forage Council, the Winnipeg Food and Beverage Council, the Manitoba Safety Council and the Manitoba Red Meats Forum.
Electoral History
Federal: Elected in Selkirk-Interlake in 2004.
Political History
Party: Member of the Conservative party since 1991. He was second vice-president on the riding association executive. He was re-elected in January 2004 to the new Conservative party board of directors.
Tel: (204) 886-3247
Email: vote@jamesbezan.com
Thomas Goodman
Party: Green Party of Canada
Profession: Lawyer
Career background: Practised law in Stonewall, Man., for almost 25 years before joining Gange Goodman & French as a partner in 2000. During his time in Stonewall, he gained experience in municipal and planning law as well as agricultural law. He was appointed Queen's Counsel by the federal minister of justice in July 1992 and served for many years as an adjudicator under the Manitoba Human rights Code and the Canada Labour code. He has also taken training in mediation and collaborative family law.
Community activities: He is involved in many cultural, community and sports organizations. In January 2003, he was presented with the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal by the premier and the lieutenant governor in recognition of his public service. He was the host committee chair of the 2002 World Under 17 Hockey challenge hosted by the City of Selkirk and the Town of Stonewall.
Electoral History
Federal: Defeated in Selkirk-Interlake as Progressive Conservative in 2000
Political History
Party: Served two terms as provincial vice-president in the Progressive-Conservative Party of Canada, on the National Executive, as the 1997 Manitoba Campaign Chair. With the demise of the Progressive Conservative Party, he joined the Green Party of Canada, which he serves as justice critic in the party's shadow cabinet.
Tel: (204) 953-5402
Email: tgoodman@greenparty.ca
Duncan Geisler
Party: Independent
Age: 57
Birthplace: Ashern, MB
Education: Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Manitoba
Profession: Lawyer, farmer
Marital Status: Married
Name of Spouse: Lise
Children: Three - Roland, Paul and Marianne
Career Background: Twenty-five years as Sole Proprietor of Geisler Law Office in
Ashern, MB, with branch offices in Fisher Branch and Arborg. He is also the
owner and operator of a 1,000 acre forage and cattle farm.
Community Activities: He has coached Ashern Hornets Girls Hockey Team, and
is currently a member of the Grace Lutheran Church Parish Council and Choir.
His memberships include: Manitoba Forage Council, Whitetail and Walleye Game
and Fish Association, Ashern Chamber of Commerce and Royal Canadian Legion
#57. Is a past President of the North West Interlake Ducks Unlimited
Committee.
Electoral History
Provincial: He was defeated as a Liberal candidate for the Interlake riding
in 1995. He has lived and worked in the Riding for 57 years.
Political History: He was a member of the Liberal Party until December of
2005, when he decided to run as an Independent candidate.
Riding Address:
29 Main Street
Ashern, MB R0C 0E0
(204) 768-3921
1-866-324-4977
deg@duncanindependent.com
www.duncanindependent.com
Bruce Benson
Party: Liberal Party of Canada
Birthplace: Arborg, Man.
Marital status: Married
Name of spouse: Linda
Children: Three
Career background: Has lived in Iceland, Australia and California. He is a former journalist and teacher. He is currently a commercial fisher on Lake Winnipeg and land developer.
Community activities: He is a member of the Gimli Kinsmen Club and former director of the Chamber of Commerce. As the president of the Harbour Authority in Arnes and chairman of the Freshwater Harbour Authority advisory council, which covers two-thirds of Canada, he was recently elected chairman of the National Harbour Authority advisory council, which encompasses harbour authorities for all of Canada.
Electoral History
Federal: Placed third in Selkirk-Interlake in 2004 with 23% of the vote
Ed Schreyer
Party: New Democratic Party
Birth Date: December 21, 1935
Age: 70
Birthplace: Beauséjour, Man.
Education: Bachelor of Pedagogy, B.Ed., MA in International Relations, MA in Economics from the University of Manitoba
Profession: Professor, politician
Marital Status: Married
Name of Spouse: Lily
Children: Lisa, Karmel, Jason and Tobin
Career Background: Current Chancellor of Brandon University, Manitoba. Professor of International Relations at St. Paul's College of the University of Manitoba from 1962 to 1965,
when he entered politics. Elected to provincial legislature and federal Parliament, served as Canada's Governor-General and, later, as a diplomat
Community Activities: Has worked as national representative of Habitat for Humanity. Regular guest speaker at fundraising and other public events relating to energy, conservation, multiculturalism and heritage preservation, agriculture and rural life.
Since 1989, has been guest professor at universities in Canada and Europe. Involved in initiatives including the Canadian Shield Foundation, Sierra Legal Defense Fund, Hospital and Nursing Home care organizations
Electoral History
Provincial: Elected MLA in Manitoba in 1958 and held the seat until 1965, elected again in 1969
Federal: Elected in Selkirk in 1965 and re-elected in 1968
Political History
Cabinet: Premier of Manitoba from 1969 to 1977
Former Provincial Minister Responsible for Manitoba Hydro
Dignitary: Governor-General of Canada from 1979 to 1984, Canadian High Commissioner to Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Ambassador to Vanuatu between 1984 and 1988
Campaign Office:
(204) 482-2260
campaign2006@edisback.ca
www.edisback.ca
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