james erwin downey (born august 10, 1942) is a politician in manitoba, canada. he was a member of the legislative assembly of manitoba from 1977 to 1999, and served as a cabinet minister in the progressive conservative governments of sterling lyon and gary filmon. ==early life== downey was born in melita, manitoba. he served as an air cadet, and received an agriculture diploma from the university of manitoba. before entering political life, he worked as a farmer and auctioneer. ==manitoba politics== downey was first elected to the manitoba legislature in the provincial election of 1977, scoring a fairly easy victory in the southwestern rural riding of arthur (generally regarded as a safe seat for the party). lyon's progressive conservatives defeated the new democratic party under edward schreyer in this election, and downey was appointed as minister of agriculture on october 24, 1977. he held this position until november 30, 1981, when the ndp returned to power. downey himself was easily re-elected in the 1981 election, defeating his ndp opponent by over 3500 votes. despite a credible challenge from the new confederation of regions party, downey was again re-elected without too much difficulty in the 1986 provincial election. two years later, he faced a stronger challenge from liberal douglas mosset, but still retained his seat by over 2000 votes. the progressive conservatives under gary filmon formed a minority government after this election, and downey returned to cabinet on may 9, 1988 as minister of northern affairs with responsibility for native affairs, the manitoba natural resources development act, a.e. mckenzie co. ltd., the manitoba oil and gas corporation act and the communities economic development fund act. on april 21, 1989 he was also named minister re
1942_births Deputy_premiers_of_Manitoba Living_people Progressive_Conservative_Party_of_Manitoba_MLAs