Denis Rocan departs Manitoba legislature!
Farmer Unseats Incumbent To Run For Tories
By Mia Rabson
Winnipeg Free Press
November 18, 2006
Page B7
Elm Creek farmer Blaine Pedersen pushed out one of the longest sitting MLAs in the Tory party Thursday by a margin of almost two votes to one.
Pedersen won the right to represent the provincial Conservatives on the ballot in Carman during the next provincial election, defeating incumbent Tory MLA Denis Rocan, who has been an MLA since 1986.
Almost 900 people turned up in the Notre Dame de Lourdes community hall for the vote, and about two out of three voted for Pedersen.
"We knew we had the memberships sold, but it all depended on getting the membership out to vote," Pedersen said.
His win gives him an excellent shot at a spot in the legislature after the next provincial election - expected next year - because Carman is considered Tory safe territory.
Rocan, one of the most independent Conservatives has been targeted by some Tory insiders for years. A former speaker of the house his bipartisanship left some members of his own party feeling as if he was occasionally too cosy with the government.
One former Conservative colleague, David Orchard, wrote to a local rural paper this fall calling for Rocan to be voted out, saying the MLA no longer was the best person to represent the riding.
Orchard did not respond to a request for an interview yesterday.
Neither did Rocan. At Thursday's event he was told the results before they were announced, and stayed in the hall only long enough to congratulate Pedersen.
A Metis, Rocan is the only Tory MLA of aboriginal heritage, and is also the only one who speaks fluent French.
He was recently recognized for being responsible for the province-wide smoking ban, since it was his private member's bill on the issue that ultimately was adopted by the government.
Premier Gary Doer said Rocan had a lot of integrity and was well respected by "broader communities than the normal Tory base."
"I think it is going to be a weakness not to have Denis Rocan in the legilature and in the Conservative caucus," Doer said.
Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard said it was disappointing the Conservatives would "oust" such a strong MLA and suggested there is room for Rocan in the Liberal caucus.
"I think it shows the nature of the current Conservative party under Hugh McFadyen," Gerard said.
He said when Stuart Murray was leader, no MLA had their nominations challenged.
McFadyen wished Rocan well but said that in a democracy the people are always right.
"There was a will on the part of party members to have a change there, but I do want to take the opportunity today to acknowledge 20 years of excellent service in the legislature on the part of Mr. Rocan," McFadyen said. "I know this is a difficult time for him personally."
mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
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I first encountered Mr. Rocan in 1987-88 after arriving in Winnipeg from Quebec City. My first job was as a Policy Analyst/Researcher for the Liberals under Sharon Carstairs although I have never been a member of any political party. At the time, Denis Rocan was Speaker of the House which carries significant behind the scenes influence. Speakers Chair the Management Committee which makes spending decisions at the Legislature.
In those days he was an unpretentious person - what you see is what you get. A smoker back then it seems he subsequently reformed.
Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
By Mia Rabson
Winnipeg Free Press
November 18, 2006
Page B7
Elm Creek farmer Blaine Pedersen pushed out one of the longest sitting MLAs in the Tory party Thursday by a margin of almost two votes to one.
Pedersen won the right to represent the provincial Conservatives on the ballot in Carman during the next provincial election, defeating incumbent Tory MLA Denis Rocan, who has been an MLA since 1986.
Almost 900 people turned up in the Notre Dame de Lourdes community hall for the vote, and about two out of three voted for Pedersen.
"We knew we had the memberships sold, but it all depended on getting the membership out to vote," Pedersen said.
His win gives him an excellent shot at a spot in the legislature after the next provincial election - expected next year - because Carman is considered Tory safe territory.
Rocan, one of the most independent Conservatives has been targeted by some Tory insiders for years. A former speaker of the house his bipartisanship left some members of his own party feeling as if he was occasionally too cosy with the government.
One former Conservative colleague, David Orchard, wrote to a local rural paper this fall calling for Rocan to be voted out, saying the MLA no longer was the best person to represent the riding.
Orchard did not respond to a request for an interview yesterday.
Neither did Rocan. At Thursday's event he was told the results before they were announced, and stayed in the hall only long enough to congratulate Pedersen.
A Metis, Rocan is the only Tory MLA of aboriginal heritage, and is also the only one who speaks fluent French.
He was recently recognized for being responsible for the province-wide smoking ban, since it was his private member's bill on the issue that ultimately was adopted by the government.
Premier Gary Doer said Rocan had a lot of integrity and was well respected by "broader communities than the normal Tory base."
"I think it is going to be a weakness not to have Denis Rocan in the legilature and in the Conservative caucus," Doer said.
Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard said it was disappointing the Conservatives would "oust" such a strong MLA and suggested there is room for Rocan in the Liberal caucus.
"I think it shows the nature of the current Conservative party under Hugh McFadyen," Gerard said.
He said when Stuart Murray was leader, no MLA had their nominations challenged.
McFadyen wished Rocan well but said that in a democracy the people are always right.
"There was a will on the part of party members to have a change there, but I do want to take the opportunity today to acknowledge 20 years of excellent service in the legislature on the part of Mr. Rocan," McFadyen said. "I know this is a difficult time for him personally."
mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I first encountered Mr. Rocan in 1987-88 after arriving in Winnipeg from Quebec City. My first job was as a Policy Analyst/Researcher for the Liberals under Sharon Carstairs although I have never been a member of any political party. At the time, Denis Rocan was Speaker of the House which carries significant behind the scenes influence. Speakers Chair the Management Committee which makes spending decisions at the Legislature.In those days he was an unpretentious person - what you see is what you get. A smoker back then it seems he subsequently reformed.
Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
posted by Clare L. Pieuk at 7:15 AM
2 Comments:
Goodbye to David Chartrand's most valuable agent in the PC Party - and goodbye to the biggest gasbag and expense-allowance crook Carman has ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing resemblance to Davey...............Must be dining out at the same restaurants if you catch my drift.........
Good luck in finding a real job loser.............
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