# 1981 Manitoba general election

The 1981 Manitoba general election was held on November 17, 1981 to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It was won by the opposition New Democratic Party, which took 34 of 57 seats. The governing Progressive Conservative Party took the remaining 23, while the Manitoba Liberal Party was shut out from the legislature for the only time in its history. The newly formed Progressive Party failed to win any seats.
Sterling Lyon's Progressive Conservative government ran on a promise to continue investing in the province's "mega-projects" (including as a $500 million Alcan aluminum smelter, a $600 million potash mine and a "Western power grid"), and suggested that an NDP government would jeopardize these plans. The NDP campaign, which was largely co-ordinated by Wilson Parasiuk, questioned the Lyon government's fiscal accountability in such matters, noting that it had sold 50% of Trout Lake Copper Mine stock, possibly at a major loss. Jacques Bougie, the Alcan administrator for Manitoba, was also described as holding undue influence over the government.
The NDP campaign generally focused on the economy, and drew attention to the issue of Manitobans emigrating from the province because of job losses. Progressive Party leader Sidney Green described Lyon's initiatives as "bega-projects", a reference to the government's controversial fundraising with foreign corporations.
The election was considered too close to call until the final week, when the NDP campaign gained momentum.

## Results

| Party | Party | Party Leader | # of candidates | Seats | Seats | Seats | Popular Vote | Popular Vote | Popular Vote |
| Party | Party | Party Leader | # of candidates | Before$^1$ | Elected | % Change | # | % | Change |
| | New Democratic | Howard Pawley | 57 | 20 | 34 | +70.0% | 228,784 | 47.38% | +8.76 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Sterling Lyon | 57 | 32 | 23 | -28.1% | 211,602 | 43.82% | -4.93 |
| | Liberal | Doug Lauchlan | 39 | 1 | - | -100% | 32,373 | 6.70% | -5.59 |
| | Progressive | Sidney Green | 36 | 3 | - | -100% | 8,731 | 1.81% | +1.81 |
| | Communist | Paula Fletcher | 2 | - | - | - | 261 | .05% | -0.01 |
| | Independent | Independent | 4 | 1 | - | -100% | 1,141 | .24% | +0.24 |
| | Vacant | Vacant | Vacant | 1 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Total | Total | Total | 195 | 57 | 57 | - | 487,154 | 100% | |
$^1$ "Before" refers to standings in the Legislature at dissolution, and not to the results of the previous election. These numbers therefore reflect changes in party standings as a result of by-elections and members crossing the floor.
Popular vote
New Democratic
47.38%
PC
43.82%
Liberal
6.70%
Others
2.10% :
Seats summary
New Democratic
59.65%
PC
40.35% :

## Riding results

Party key:
* PC: Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
* L: Manitoba Liberal Party
* NDP: New Democratic Party of Manitoba
* P: Progressive Party of Manitoba
* Comm: Communist Party of Canada - Manitoba
* Ind: Independent
* M-L: Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada - Manitoba (see by-elections)
* WCC: Western Canada Concept Party of Manitoba (see by-elections; leader: Fred Cameron)
Note: There was one vacant seat at the time of the election.
(incumbent) denotes incumbent.
Arthur:
* (incumbent)Jim Downey (PC) 5468
* Earl Sterling (NDP) 1772
Assiniboia:
* Ric Nordman (PC) 4006
* Max Melnyk (NDP) 2822
* Peter Moss (L) 817
* Fran Huck (P) 378
Brandon East:
* (incumbent)Len Evans (NDP) 4941
* Gary Nowazek (PC) 2626
* Margaret Workman (L) 512
Brandon West:
* Henry Carroll (NDP) 5069
* John Allen (PC) 4634
* David Campbell (L) 547
Burrows:
* Conrad Santos (NDP) 4890
* Mary Shore (PC) 1384
* (incumbent)Ben Hanuschak (P) 728
* Wayne Anderson (L) 617
* Paula Fletcher (Comm) 144
Charleswood:
* (incumbent)Sterling Lyon (PC) 6334
* Toni Vosters (NDP) 3243
* Ken Brown (L) 969
* Demetre Mastoris (P) 231
Churchill:
* (incumbent)Jay Cowan (NDP) 2247
* Mark Ingebrigtson (PC) 883
* Andrew Kirkness (L) 266
* Doug MacLachlan (P) 85
vte1981 Manitoba general election: Concordia :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | New Democratic | Peter Fox | 5,333 | 60.91 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Scotty McVicar | 2,586 | 29.54 |
| | Liberal | Gail Stapon | 309 | 3.53 |
| | Progressive | Josephine Young | 306 | 3.50 |
| | Independent | Bob Fraser | 221 | 2.52 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 8,755 | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 15 | – |
| Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | 12,589 | 69.54 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||
Dauphin:
* John Plohman (NDP) 4680
* (incumbent)James Galbraith (PC) 4044
* Bob Hawkins (L) 1049
Ellice:
* (incumbent)Brian Corrin (NDP) 4233
* Gavin Scott (PC) 1712
* Rod Cantiveros (L) 782
* Adam Klym (P) 222
* Bart Monaco (Ind) 56
vte1981 Manitoba general election: Elmwood :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Russell Doern | 5,140 | 67.83 | 16.72 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Eveline Holtmann | 1,910 | 25.20 | -15.35 |
| | Liberal | Eric Wood | 347 | 4.58 | -3.76 |
| | Progressive | Curtis Bloodworth | 181 | 2.39 | – |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 7,578 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 36 | – |
| Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | 11,506 | 66.17 | -6.17 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||
Emerson:
* (incumbent)Albert Driedger (PC) 4376
* Paul Dupuis (NDP) 4020
* Stephen Zaretski (L) 308
* Jack Thiessen (P) 116
Flin Flon:
* Jerry Storie (NDP) 3557
* Bob McNeil (PC) 2126
Fort Garry:
* (incumbent)Bud Sherman (PC) 6227
* Hans Wittich (NDP) 3705
* Lil Haus (L) 1042
* James Goodridge (P) 203
Fort Rouge:
* Roland Penner (NDP) 4342
* Perry Schulman (PC) 2843
* (incumbent)June Westbury (L) 2415
* (incumbent)Bud Boyce (P) 143
Gimli:
* John Bucklaschuk (NDP) 4825
* (incumbent)Keith Cosens (PC) 3995
* Allan Chambers (L) 276
* Pat Bazan (P) 127
Gladstone:
* Charlotte Oleson (PC) 4447
* Irvin Joel (NDP) 1650
* Abe Suderman (L) 737
Inkster:
* Don Scott (NDP) 6283
* Bill Dueck (PC) 1561
* (incumbent)Sidney Green (P) 783
* Myroslaw Tracz (L) 364
Interlake:
* (incumbent)Bill Uruski (NDP) 4599
* Neil Dueck (PC) 2181
* Bob Lundale (L) 372
Kildonan:
* Mary Beth Dolin (NDP) 6794
* Ken Galanchuk (PC) 4478
* Alex Berkowits (L) 755
* Dan Tokarz (P) 300
Kirkfield Park:
* Gerrie Hammond (PC) 6443
* Lee Monk (NDP) 3551
Lac Du Bonnet:
* (incumbent)Sam Uskiw (NDP) 4682
* Bert Trainer (PC) 2809
Lakeside:
* (incumbent)Harry Enns (PC) 5055
* Larry Moldowan (NDP) 2630
* Bill Ridgeway (L) 592
* Hubert John McCaw (P) 107
La Verendrye:
* (incumbent)Robert Banman (PC) 4418
* Jim Henry (NDP) 1149
* Alphonse Fournier (P) 704
Logan:
* Maureen Hemphill (NDP) 3759
* Stephen Juba (Ind) 700
* Aurele Joseph LeClaire (PC) 659
* Art Potvin (P) 103
Minnedosa:
* (incumbent)David Robert Blake (PC) 4160
* Garry Grant (NDP) 3397
Morris:
* Clayton Manness (PC) 4579
* Peter Francis (NDP) 1821
Niakwa:
* (incumbent)Abe Kovnats (PC) 5432
* Lloyd Schreyer (NDP) 4736
* Doug Biggs (L) 1345
Osborne:
* Muriel Smith (NDP) 5371
* Ben Lindsey (PC) 2726
* Fraser Dunford (L) 1262
* George Buss (P) 165
Pembina:
* (incumbent)Donald Orchard (PC) 6361
* Jeff Taylor (NDP) 862
* Kenneth Popkes (L) 696
* John Brooks (P) 274
Portage la Prairie:
* (incumbent)Lloyd Hyde (PC) 3620
* Audrey Tufford (NDP) 2413
* Hugh Moran (L) 1601
Radisson:
* Gerard Lecuyer (NDP) 6108
* George Provost (PC) 2566
* Joel Morasutti (P) 376
Rhineland:
* (incumbent)Arnold Brown (PC) 4116
* Ralph EisBrenner (NDP) 1181
* Jacob Froese (P) 349
Riel:
* Doreen Dodick (NDP) 4362
* (incumbent)Don Craik (PC) 4120
* John Karasevich (L) 1087
* Dino Kotis (P) 98
River East:
* Phil Eyler (NDP) 5949
* Harold Piercy (PC) 5903
* Shirley Wolechuk (L) 259
* Lindsay Ulrich (P) 177
River Heights:
* (incumbent)Warren Steen (PC) 4905
* David Sanders (NDP) 3217
* Jay Prober (L) 2526
* Janet Lundman (P) 142
Roblin-Russell:
* (incumbent)Wally McKenzie (PC) 4508
* Zen Wonitoway (NDP) 3673
Rossmere:
* (incumbent)Vic Schroeder (NDP) 5776
* Ian Sutherland (PC) 4293
* William De Jong (L) 389
* Merv Unger (P) 142
Rupertsland:
* Elijah Harper (NDP) 3032
* Alan Ross (L) 1004
* Nelson Scribe, Sr. (PC) 272
* Frances Thompson (P) 56
St. Boniface:
* (incumbent)Laurent Desjardins (NDP) 5844
* Guy Savoie (L) 1925
* Wes Rowson (PC) 1346
* Don Forsyth (P) 106
St. James:
* Al Mackling (NDP) 5376
* (incumbent)George Minaker (PC) 4597
* Harvey Nerbas (P) 180
vte1981 Manitoba general election: St. Johns :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | New Democratic | Donald Malinowski | 4,004 | 56.99 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Don Cilinsky | 1,785 | 25.41 |
| | Liberal | Henry Kowlowski | 674 | 9.59 |
| | Progressive | Bernie Bellan | 446 | 6.35 |
| | Communist | William Cecil Ross | 117 | 1.67 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 7,026 |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 70 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,096 | 67.18 |
| Electors on the lists | Electors on the lists | Electors on the lists | 10,562 |
St. Norbert:
* (incumbent)Gerry Mercier (PC) 5728
* Ruth Pear (NDP) 3826
* Grant Temple (L) 857
* Allan Yap (P) 216
vte1981 Manitoba general election: St. Vital :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Jim Walding | 5,504 | 52.80 | +11.18 |
| | Progressive Conservative | John Robertson | 4,236 | 40.64 | +4.69 |
| | Liberal | Gord Patterson | 684 | 6.56 | -15.87 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 10,424 | 100.00 | |
| Rejected votes | Rejected votes | Rejected votes | 34 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 10,458 | 80.61 | |
| Electors on the lists | Electors on the lists | Electors on the lists | 12,974 | | |
| | New Democratic hold | New Democratic hold | Swing | Swing | +3.24 |
Ste. Rose:
* (incumbent)A.R. Pete Adam (NDP) 4031
* Ivan Traill (PC) 3823
* Valerie Wilson (P) 194
Selkirk:
* (incumbent)Howard Pawley (NDP) 5626
* Eugene Kinaschuk (PC) 3020
* Max Hofford (P) 131
Seven Oaks:
* Eugene Kostyra (NDP) 6127
* Al Christie (PC) 2179
* Wayne Glowacki (L) 486
* Morely Golden (P) 367
Springfield:
* Andy Anstett (NDP) 5303
* (incumbent)Bob Anderson (PC) 4833
* Peter Anderson (L) 327
* Dennis Sweatman (P) 113
Sturgeon Creek:
* (incumbent)Frank Johnston (PC) 5546
* Robert Adams (NDP) 3253
* John Epp (L) 732
Swan River:
* (incumbent)Doug Gourlay (PC) 3884
* Leonard Harapiak (NDP) 3615
* George Simpson (P) 138
The Pas:
* Harry Harapiak (NDP) 4236
* Percy Pielak (PC) 1303
* Laverne Jaeb (L) 509
Thompson:
* Steve Ashton (NDP) 2890
* (incumbent)Ken MacMaster (PC) 2818
* Cy Hennessey (L) 138
Transcona:
* (incumbent)Wilson Parasiuk (NDP) 6013
* Jo Lopuck (PC) 2269
* Albert Smaczylo (P) 120
vte1981 Manitoba general election: Turtle Mountain :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Brian Ransom | 4,775 | 72.36 | 29.99 |
| | New Democratic | Joan Johannson | 1,660 | 25.16 | – |
| | Independent | Bill Harrison | 164 | 2.49 | – |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 6,599 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 33 | – |
| Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | 10,533 | 62.96 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||
Tuxedo:
* (incumbent)Gary Filmon (PC) 6731
* Terri Gray (NDP) 2433
* Beverly McCaffrey (L) 1257
Virden:
* (incumbent)Harry Graham (PC) 5059
* Maude Lelong (NDP) 2859
Wolseley:
* Myrna Phillips (NDP) 4370
* (incumbent)Len Domino (PC) 2904
* Doug Lauchlan (L) 1539
* Murdoch MacKay (P) 224

### Post-election changes

Henry Carroll (NDP) became (Ind), August 19, 1982. Russell Doern (NDP) became (Ind), March 7, 1984.
Fort Garry (res. Louis Sherman, August 5, 1984), October 2, 1984:
* Charles Birt (PC) 3561
* Sharon Carstairs (L) 1993
* Shirley Lord (NDP) 1211
* Sidney Green (P) 1035
* Fred Cameron (WCC) 186
Kildonan (dec. Mary Beth Dolin, April 10, 1985), October 1, 1985:
* Martin Dolin (NDP) 4332
* Bev Rayburn (PC) 3248
* Chris Guly (L) 988
* Ben Hanuschak (P) 546
Portage la Prairie (dec. Lloyd Hyde, August 25, 1985)