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Kind words as McFadyen bids adieu

Conservative leader rises one final time

By: Larry Kusch

Posted: 06/15/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

McFadyen led the Conservatives for six years. He says 'stay tuned' for future plans. (BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

Hugh McFadyen was celebrated at the Manitoba legislature Thursday for his wit, eloquence and his ability to cast aside political partisanship when the occasion demanded it.

With the spring sitting coming to an end, members from all three parties in the legislature briefly buried their differences to pay tribute to the Progressive Conservative leader and wish him well in the future.

The 45-year-old lawyer received several standing ovations from members on both sides of the house -- the first coming when he rose to ask his first question in question period.

"He demonstrated in this house a good sense to know when to fight, to know when to join with government in a cause and to know when to put aside our partisan differences," said Conservative justice critic Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach), who sat next to McFadyen in the legislature.

Premier Greg Selinger called McFadyen a "formidable debater" who kept him on his toes. "He has a wicked sense of humour. I know that after today I will be a little less worried about what one-liner or preamble he'll come up with next."

Selinger paid tribute to McFadyen for setting aside partisan differences last year during the height of the flood. "He knew that was not the time or place for politics and I commend him for this."

Selinger also recalled several memorable speeches by McFadyen in the house, including an eloquent address upon the untimely death of former NDP cabinet minister Oscar Lathlin, which brought him the admiration of his political opponents. "It was a moment for healing and he captured it perfectly," the premier said.

McFadyen has led the Conservatives for six years, during which time the NDP won general elections in 2007 and 2011. Both times the PCs won only 19 seats of 57 seats. On election night last Oct. 4, the Tory leader -- father of a 10-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy -- announced he would step down as leader when a successor was chosen.

That will likely happen in a little over a month, when nominations close for the Tory leadership. So far only Brian Pallister, a former Filmon cabinet minister and member of Parliament, has declared he is running. He's expected to be acclaimed.

McFadyen did not indicate Thursday when he would resign his Fort Whyte seat. And he was mum about his plans for life after provincial politics. "I'm going to have to say, 'Stay tuned' on that one," he said with a big smile.

McFadyen called his years in the legislature "a great experience."

"This is a great building to come to work to every day. It's been a great privilege to be in the job that I've been in," he said. "I will miss the place."

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca

The Hugh McFadyen file

1967 -- Born in Selkirk. He and his two younger brothers were raised in St. James.

1986 -- Skips his curling team to a Canadian junior championship in 1986.

1993 -- Receives law degree from the University of Manitoba.

1998 -- Appointed principal secretary to Premier Gary Filmon.

2004 -- Manages Sam Katz's successful campaign to become mayor of Winnipeg. Later appointed as Katz's senior political adviser.

2005 -- Enters the legislature by winning a byelection in Fort Whyte.

2006 -- Wins the party's leadership on April 29, succeeding Stuart Murray.

2007 -- Loses the general election to Gary Doer's NDP, winning only 19 of 57 seats.

2011 -- Defeated again by the NDP in a general election. Announces on election night that he will step down as leader.

June 14, 2012 -- McFadyen's last day in the legislature as Progressive Conservative leader.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 15, 2012 A5

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