Tory MLA Hawranik says he’s leaving the legislature
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/02/2011 (5665 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A fifth Manitoba Progressive Conservative MLA has announced he is retiring from provincial politics.
Gerald Hawranik (Lac du Bonnet), the party’s House leader, said Friday he will not seek re-election after nearly a decade in the legislature.
In an interview late Friday, Hawranik said the decision to step down was difficult. But it will allow him to spend more time with his family.
His wife Pamela was appointed dean of the faculty of graduate studies at Athabasca University a couple of years ago, and the two have been commuting between Edmonton and Manitoba ever since. They have two grown daughters — one in Edmonton and one in Dauphin — and two young grandchildren.
“It’s been difficult for the last couple of years,” said Hawranik. “She does spend a fair amount of time here and I spend some time there as well.”
Ironically, he said, the potential of a Conservative victory this fall helped push him to retire from politics. As someone who would very likely have been named to cabinet, he would have had even less time to spend with his family than he does now.
Over the last several months, four other Conservative MLAs have announced they will not seek another term, including Rick Borotsik (Brandon West), David Faurschou (Portage la Prairie), Peter George Dyck (Pembina) and Len Derkach (Russell).
The Conservatives hold 19 of the 57 seats in the Manitoba legislature.
Hawranik said the party still has a solid nucleus of experienced MLAs as it heads into a fall election and noted the governing NDP will also see some turnover between now and fall.
Hawranik was first elected in a 2002 byelection following the resignation of Darren Praznik.
A longtime lawyer, Hawranik has sold his Beausejour law practice, effective March 31. He said he’s had several offers to practise law in Alberta, which has a shortage of lawyers. But he’s going to take his time before committing himself to furthering his law career.
Hawranik has served as critic for aboriginal and northern affairs, advanced education and literacy, justice and finance. He plans to retain his seat in the legislature until the election.
In a statement Friday, Progressive Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen called Hawranik a “tireless advocate for his constituents and a strong and trusted voice at the caucus table.”
larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca