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James Erwin Downey
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Farmer, auctioneer, MLA (1977-1981), MLA (1981-1986), MLA (1986-1988), MLA (1988-1990), MLA (1990-1995), MLA (1995-1999).
Born at Melita on 10 August 1942, one of four children of Wallace Archibald Downey (1912-1994) and Mabel Elizabeth “Bessie” Bambridge (1918-2010), he received an Agriculture Diploma from the University of Manitoba then farmed and operated the Melita Auction Mart. First elected to the Manitoba Legislature as a Progressive Conservative in the 1977 general election, he was re-elected in 1981, 1986, 1988, 1990, and 1995.
He held several ministerial portfolios in the Progressive Conservative governments of Sterling Lyon and Gary Filmon, including Agriculture (1977-1981), Northern Affairs (1988-1993), Native Affairs (1988-1993), Communities Economic Development Fund (1988-1992), Seniors (1989-1991), Rural Development (1991-1992), Manitoba Hydro Act (1992-1993), Energy and Mines (1992-1939), and Industry, Trade, and Tourism (1993-1999), as well as Deputy Premier (1990-1999).
In recognition of his community service, he received a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977).
Obituary [Wallace Archibald Downey], Winnipeg Free Press, 4 December 1994, page 27.
Obituary [Mabel Elizabeth Downey], Redpath Funeral Home.
Jim Downey (politician), Wikipedia.
MLA Biographies - Living, The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 19 November 2023
