Eric Robinson (Canadian politician)

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]

Eric Robinson
5th Deputy Premier of Manitoba
In office
November 3, 2009 – May 3, 2016
Serving with Rosann Wowchuk until 2011
Kerri Irvin-Ross from 2015
PremierGreg Selinger
Preceded byRosann Wowchuk
Succeeded byHeather Stefanson
Manitoba Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs
In office
November 3, 2009 – April 19, 2016
PremierGreg Selinger
Preceded byOscar Lathlin
Succeeded byEileen Clarke
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 for Kewatinook
Rupertsland 1993–2011
In office
October 4, 2011 – April 19, 2016
Preceded bynew constituency
Succeeded byJudy Klassen
In office
September 21, 1993 – October 4, 2011
Preceded byElijah Harper
Succeeded byconstituency abolished
Personal details
Born (1953-02-05) February 5, 1953 (age 71)
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

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2016 Manitoba general election

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2016 Manitoba general election: Keewatinook
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Judy Klassen 1,565 49.73 48.36 $30,958.72
New Democratic Eric Robinson 1,207 38.35 -18.79 $34,619.23
Progressive Conservative Edna Nabess 375 11.92 -26.94 $24,449.08
Total valid votes 3,147
Rejected 135
Eligible voters / turnout 13,500 24.31 -11.37
Liberal gain from New Democratic Swing +33.42
Source(s)
Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2016). Statement of Votes for the 41st Provincial General Election, April 19, 2016 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba."Candidates: 41st General Election". Elections Manitoba. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.

2011 Manitoba general election

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2011 Manitoba general election: Kewatinook
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Eric Robinson 2,043 56.81 −1.40 $39,824.28
Progressive Conservative Michael Birch 1,389 38.62 +2.87 $35,204.76
Green Philip Green 94 2.61 $1,571.33
Liberal Orville Woodford 49 1.36 −4.26 $0
Total valid votes 3,575
Rejected 22
Eligible voters / turnout 10,081 35.68
New Democratic hold Swing -
Source(s)
Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2011). Statement of Votes for the 40th Provincial General Election, October 4, 2011 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba.

2007 Manitoba general election

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2007 Manitoba general election: Rupertsland
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Eric Robinson 2,092 58.45 -29.07 $23,296.64
Progressive Conservative David Harper 1,285 35.90 29.86 $8,233.12
Liberal Earl Fontaine 202 5.64 -0.79 $3,911.36
Total valid votes 3,579
Rejected 15
Eligible voters / turnout 10,727 33.50 5.38
New Democratic hold Swing -
Source(s)
Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2007). Statement of Votes for the 39th Provincial General Election, May 22, 2007 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba.

2003 Manitoba general election

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2003 Manitoba general election: Rupertsland
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Eric Robinson 2,203 87.52 28.37 $17,690.80
Liberal Orville Woodford 162 6.44 -14.43 $2,564.46
Progressive Conservative Cory Phillips 152 6.04 -13.94 $450.94
Total valid votes 2,517
Rejected 17
Eligible voters / turnout 9,011 28.12 -10.61
New Democratic hold Swing -
Source(s)
Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2003). Statement of Votes for the 38th Provincial General Election, June 3, 2003 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba.

1999 Manitoba general election

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1999 Manitoba general election: Rupertsland
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Eric Robinson 2,007 59.15 8.35 $25,058.00
Liberal Darcy Wood 708 20.87 -2.13 $28,387.14
Progressive Conservative Fred Harper 678 19.98 6.00 $31,774.52
Total valid votes 3,393
Rejected 12
Eligible voters / turnout 8,791 38.73 -6.10
Source(s)
Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "A mom beaten, a son changed". Winnipeg Free Press. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e "MLA Biographies - Living". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. 4 November 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Eric Robinson". Province of Manitoba. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Lands". Cross Lake Band. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 11 June 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 11 June 2011.
  7. ^ "Results - 1995 General Election". Elections Manitoba. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  8. ^ "Manitoba Chooses NDP". The Hamilton Spectator. Canadian Press. 22 September 1999. section C, p. 1. Archived from the original (fee required) on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  9. ^ "Cross Canada Support for Bill". Bill Blaikie, Elmwood—Transcona. Archived from the original on 1 April 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  10. ^ "Electoral Division of Rupertsland: Summary of Official Results". Official Results — 38th General Election. Elections Manitoba. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  11. ^ "Rupertsland: Summary of Official Results". Official Results — 39th General Election. Elections Manitoba. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
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