Dave Chomiak Explained

Dave Chomiak
Office:Manitoba Minister of Mineral Resources
Term Start:October 18, 2013
Term End:May 3, 2016
Premier:Greg Selinger
Predecessor:new portfolio
Office2:Manitoba Minister of Innovation, Energy and Mines
Term Start2:November 3, 2009
Term End2:October 18, 2013
Premier2:Greg Selinger
Predecessor2:Jim Rondeau
Successor2:portfolio abolished
Office3:Manitoba Minister of Conservation
Term Start3:October 19, 2011
Term End3:January 13, 2012
Premier3:Greg Selinger
Predecessor3:Bill Blaikie
Successor3:Gord Mackintosh
Office4:Manitoba Minister of Justice and Attorney General
Term Start4:September 21, 2006
Term End4:November 3, 2009
Premier4:Gary Doer
Greg Selinger
Successor4:Andrew Swan
Office5:Manitoba Government House Leader
Term Start5:September 21, 2006
Term End5:November 3, 2009
Premier45:Gary Doer
Greg Selinger
Office6:Manitoba Minister of Energy, Science and Technology
Term Start6:October 12, 2004
Term End6:September 21, 2006
Premier6:Gary Doer
Predecessor6:Tim Sale
Successor6:portfolio abolished
Office7:Manitoba Minister of Health
Term Start7:October 5, 1999
Term End7:October 12, 2004
Premier7:Gary Doer
Predecessor7:Eric Stefanson
Successor7:Tim Sale
Office8:Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Kildonan
Term Start8:September 11, 1990
Term End8:April 19, 2016
Predecessor8:Jack Reimer
Successor8:Nic Curry
Birth Date:15 February 1953
Birth Place:Winnipeg, Manitoba
Nationality:Canadian
Party:New Democratic Party
Occupation:Lawyer

David Walter Chomiak (born February 15, 1953) is a former politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served as a cabinet minister in the New Democratic Party government of Greg Selinger.

Chomiak was born in Winnipeg and grew up in East Kildonan, graduating from Miles Macdonell Collegiate; he lives in the West Kildonan area. He worked as a lawyer before entering politics, and was a member of the Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre, the Canadian Shield Foundation and the Big Brother's Association of Manitoba.

Chomiak was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in the 1990 provincial election, in the north Winnipeg riding of Kildonan. He defeated Progressive Conservative candidate David Langtry by 210 votes; Progressive Party leader Sidney Green finished fourth. After the election, Chomiak joined with 19 other NDP MLAs as the official opposition to Gary Filmon's government.

Chomiak was re-elected in the 1995 election, defeating Tory Robert Praznik 5812 votes to 3624. He again increased his margin of victory in the 1999 election, defeating PC candidate Shannon Martin by 6101 votes to 2542. The NDP won this election, and Chomiak was appointed to cabinet as Minister of Health and Minister responsible for Sport. He was relieved of responsibility for Sport on January 17, 2001.

In 2003, Chomiak supported Bill Blaikie's campaign to lead the federal New Democratic Party.

In 2003, he was re-elected in the once-marginal riding of Kildonan with over 70% of the vote. On October 12, 2004, he was appointed as Manitoba's Minister of Energy, Science and Technology, with responsibility for the Gaming Control Act and the Manitoba Hydro Act. Chomiak had been the longest-serving health minister in Canada prior to this shuffle, and there were rumours that he requested a transfer to a less stressful portfolio.

In September 2006, Chomiak was appointed as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and to the Manitoba Public Insurance and Manitoba Gaming Control Commission in Gary Doer's new cabinet.[1]

Chomiak is anti-abortion, but as health minister never sought to criminalize abortions. He was re-elected in the 2007 provincial election.

In the 2016 provincial election, he was defeated by Progressive Conservative candidate Nic Curry.

Notes and References

  1. Squires, Rochelle (22 September 2006) "Premier's New Lineup" Winnipeg Sun Manitoba, p. 4