Memorable Manitobans: Samuel “Sam” Uskiw (1933-2011)

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Samuel Uskiw
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Farmer, MLA (1966-1969), MLA (1969-1973), MLA (1973-1977), MLA (1977-1981), MLA (1982-1986).

Born at East Selkirk on 18 October 1933, he farmed in the vicinity and was active in the Vegetable Association of Manitoba, Manitoba Farmers’ Union, Red River Co-op, and Manitoba Pool Elevators.

In 1959, he began a seven-year term on the East Selkirk School Board. Elected to the Manitoba Legislature in the 1966 general election, he was re-elected in 1969, 1973, 1977, and 1981. He served as Minister of Agriculture in the Schreyer government where he was a strong advocate for marketing boards. In the subsequent Pawley government, he served as Minister of Highways and Transportation and Minister of Natural Resources. He did not stand for re-election in 1986 and severed ties with the NDP party over its alleged ties with organized labour, instead supporting the Conservatives provincially and federally. In 1977, he received a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal. He and wife Olga Schurko (c1935-2004) had four children.

He died at Selkirk on 19 March 2011.

Sources:

“Future cabinet ministers, their past and present,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 July 1969, page 26.

Obituary [Olga Uskiw], Winnipeg Free Press, 4 May 2004.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 22 March 2011.

“Ex-cabinet minister shaped province’s political history,” Winnipeg Free Press, 23 March 2011, page A10.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 15 August 2020

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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