Eric Robinson (Canadian politician) explained

Eric Robinson
Office:5th Deputy Premier of Manitoba
Term Start:November 3, 2009
Term End:May 3, 2016
Alongside:Rosann Wowchuk until 2011
Kerri Irvin-Ross from 2015
Premier:Greg Selinger
Predecessor:Rosann Wowchuk
Successor:Heather Stefanson
Office2:Manitoba Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs
Term Start2:November 3, 2009
Term End2:April 19, 2016
Premier2:Greg Selinger
Predecessor2:Oscar Lathlin
Successor2:Eileen Clarke
Term Start3:October 5, 1999
Term End3:September 25, 2002
Premier3:Gary Doer
Predecessor3:David Newman
Successor3:Oscar Lathlin
Office4:Manitoba Minister of Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport
Term Start4:September 25, 2002
Term End4:November 3, 2009
Premier4:Gary Doer
Predecessor4:Ron Lemieux
Successor4:Flor Marcelino
Office5:Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Kewatinook
Rupertsland 1993–2011
Term Start5:October 4, 2011
Term End5:April 19, 2016
Predecessor5:new constituency
Successor5:Judy Klassen
Term Start6:September 21, 1993
Term End6:October 4, 2011
Predecessor6:Elijah Harper
Successor6:constituency abolished
Birth Date:5 February 1953
Birth Place:Norway House, Manitoba
Party:New Democratic Party

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

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

1999 Manitoba general election

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: A mom beaten, a son changed . Winnipeg Free Press . August 29, 2013 . 2014-05-12.
  2. Web site: MLA Biographies - Living . . November 4, 2009 . June 11, 2011.
  3. Web site: Eric Robinson . Province of Manitoba . June 11, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110706185326/http://www.gov.mb.ca/minister/minabg.html . July 6, 2011 .
  4. Web site: Lands . . June 11, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120325143810/http://www.crosslakeband.ca/lands.htm . March 25, 2012 .
  5. Book: Robinson . Eric . Quinney . Henry Bird . The infested blanket: Canada's constitution, genocide of Indian nations . 1985 . Queenston House Pub . Winnipeg, Manitoba . 978-0-920273-00-5 . registration .
  6. Web site: Manitoba Votes 2003 - Riding Profiles: Rupertsland . 2003 . . June 11, 2011 .
  7. Web site: Results - 1995 General Election . . June 11, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716070010/http://www.elections.mb.ca/en/Results/general_election_36.html . July 16, 2011 .
  8. News: Manitoba Chooses NDP . https://web.archive.org/web/20121107014347/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/446872421.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+22,+1999&author=THE+CANADIAN+PRESS&pub=The+Spectator&desc=MANITOBA+CHOOSES+NDP&pqatl=google . dead . 7 November 2012 . fee required . . . September 22, 1999 . section C, p. 1 . June 11, 2011 .
  9. Web site: Cross Canada Support for Bill . Bill Blaikie, Elmwood - Transcona . https://web.archive.org/web/20070401195027/http://www1.billblaikie.ca/ndp.php/leadershipsupporters/ctoctocsupport . April 1, 2007 . June 11, 2011 .
  10. Web site: Electoral Division of Rupertsland: Summary of Official Results . Official Results — 38th General Election . . June 11, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120315072010/http://www.elections.mb.ca/en/Results/38_division_results/38_rupertsland_summary_results.html . March 15, 2012 .
  11. Web site: Rupertsland: Summary of Official Results . Official Results — 39th General Election . . June 11, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111009051048/http://www.elections.mb.ca/en/Results/39_division_results/39_rupertsland_summary_results.html . October 9, 2011 .