Province loses faithful servant

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Former provincial and federal politician Reg Alcock is remembered as a hard worker with a tender heart. (PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store

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Former Liberal MP and MLA Reg Alcock, who cast a large political shadow on both the province and country for more than a decade, has died.

Alcock, who died of an apparent heart attack at the airport on Friday, was 63.

As news of his sudden death became known, former colleagues, politicians of all stripes and others across the country paid tribute. Several said that if not for Alcock, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights might still be on the drawing board instead of under construction.

Former prime minister Paul Martin, whom Alcock supported for the Liberal leadership, said Alcock had "absolute conviction that government could better the lives of people.

"He had such a strong social conscience and he was so dedicated to the people of this province. It was impossible not to be attracted to Reg."

In a statement, Premier Greg Selinger said Alcock's "dedication to Manitoba and his commitment to public service at the provincial and national levels was exemplary.

"As a federal cabinet minister, he might best be remembered for his role in advancing public service renewal and reform. His national contributions while serving as president of the Treasury Board and as minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board were substantial and widely recognized and applauded."

Former provincial Liberal leader Sharon Carstairs, now a senator, said, "Reg was a deeply caring individual, particularly about the most vulnerable of us in society.

"Reg was elected as part of my team in 1988. I immediately appointed him my house leader because I could count on him for both competency and his basic liberalism. A hard worker who lived on about five hours' sleep a day, he was dedicated and hard-working.

"He also had an enormously soft heart, and that is what many in our caucus will remember."

Alcock was born in Winnipeg in 1948.

He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Simon Fraser University and a master's in public administration from Harvard.

He worked at various jobs, including senior administrative positions at the Children's Home of Winnipeg and the Seven Oaks Centre for Youth, and was director of the province's Child and Family Services before jumping into politics in 1988.

Alcock was elected as Liberal MLA in Osborne when the party rose to official Opposition status with 20 seats in the legislature, and he was re-elected in 1990, although his party's standing fell to seven seats.

He then jumped into federal politics, serving as Winnipeg South MP from 1993 until he was defeated in 2006. He was Treasury Board president in the Martin government.

Since then, Alcock has worked at the University of Manitoba's Asper School of Business as executive in residence and associate dean. He has also been a member of the Harvard Policy Group, which looks at the effects of information technology on the private sector.

University of Manitoba president David Barnard said Alcock was on his way to teach a class in The Pas when he was stricken at the airport.

Gail Asper, national campaign chairwoman of the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and University of Winnipeg president and former Liberal MP Lloyd Axworthy said if not for Alcock, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights being built in Winnipeg might not have existed.

"Reg was a true champion for change and believed in the vision of what the Canadian Museum for Human Rights could bring to our city, province and country," Asper said.

She said she remembered her first visit with Alcock in Ottawa, accompanied by her dad, the late Izzy Asper.

"I will never forget walking into his office and seeing he had a collection of charters (of rights) on the wall from around the world. He said he had been a student of charters and I totally understand why we need this museum."

Asper said Alcock was instrumental in securing the additional $70 million the federal government committed to the museum's capital fund.

Axworthy said Alcock "really was tireless in getting that critical contribution."

His political rival, Winnipeg South MP Rod Bruinooge, who ended Alcock's political career when he defeated him in 2006, was saddened by his death.

"It was with great sadness that I learned about the passing of Reg Alcock today," Bruinooge messaged on Twitter. "Deepest sympathies to his family. A sad day for Manitoba."

Manitoba Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard said he has known Alcock since the 1980s.

"We worked very close together when we were both Manitoba MPs in Parliament," Gerrard said in a statement.

"Reg will be remembered as a leader and true champion for Manitobans. Throughout my political career, Reg could always be counted on for help and sound advice and was a force to be reckoned with."

Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux called Alcock "a dear friend of mine.

"Canada lost a champion today and is (a) better place because of Reg's tremendous contributions.

"It's tragic. It's a huge, huge loss."

Lamoureux said he was first elected to the legislature with Alcock in 1988 and knew him as an effective politician with a big heart.

"Reg was someone of great significance," Lamoureux said.

Alcock is survived by his wife, Karen, and three children -- Sarah, Matthew and Christina.

-- With files from Mia Rabson, Nick Martin and Lindsey Wiebe

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

The life of Reg Alcock

-- Born: Winnipeg on April 16, 1948. Father, Reginald, was later police chief of the Tuxedo police department.

-- Education: Bachelor of arts from Simon Fraser University, master's in public administration at Harvard.

-- Early career: Held senior administrative positions with the Children's Home of Winnipeg, Camp Robertson, the Manitoba Community Treatment Association and the Manitoba School for the Deaf.

Alcock was superintendent of the Seven Oaks Centre for Youth from 1981 to 1983, when he was appointed by the provincial government as director of Manitoba's Child and Family Services.

-- Political life: Alcock was elected Liberal MLA for Osborne in 1988. He was named Liberal house leader and also served as the party's critic for finance, child welfare, crisis centres, family services and housing. In 1993, he was elected the federal Liberal MP for Winnipeg South. In 2003, he entered cabinet as president of Treasury Board and minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board. He served until 2006, when he was defeated in Winnipeg South.

-- In recent years: Worked at the University of Manitoba's I.H. Asper School of Business as executive in residence and associate dean.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 15, 2011 A3