593:
showed up at the Louis Riel School gymnasium for the vote of confidence, and
Desjardins received a standing ovation when he arrived in the hall. The vast majority of the attendees gave their support to Desjardins, with only 13 people opposing him. Desjardins became Schreyer's legislative assistant in 1969, and formally joined the New Democratic Party in 1971.
600:. In July 1972, his efforts in support of denominational schools were dealt a setback when a government-sponsored bill to permit funding was defeated by a free vote in the legislature. (The Schreyer government did, however, make administrative agreements with certain private schools to provide them with access to public monies.)
537:, Desjardins regarded such funding as necessary for redressing anti-francophone legislation that had been pursued by previous Manitoba governments in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Roblin government took some steps on this front, but the issue was still unresolved by the 1970s.
568:
NDP moved from third to first place, winning 28 seats out of 57 in the assembly. This was one short of a majority, and there was initial uncertainty as to which party or parties would form government. There was some consideration of an "anti-socialist coalition", which would have brought together all
727:
Ironically, just as
Desjardins had helped bring the NDP into government in 1969, his decision to leave the legislature in 1988 played a major role in the party's unexpected fall from power. In his absence, the legislature was almost evenly divided between government and opposition members; as such,
723:
Desjardins resigned from his cabinet positions on
February 10, 1988, after a Supreme Court ruling that provinces could not restrict a woman's right to abortion, and announced that he would be leaving the legislature to take a job in the private sector. His seat was not formally declared vacant, but
588:
community had not traditionally been supportive of the New
Democratic Party before this time. Nevertheless, Desjardins formed an alliance with Schreyer (himself a centrist New Democrat), on the understanding that he would be able to continue to work in favour of denominational school funding on the
592:
In order to make sure this move was supported by his constituents, Desjardins organized a vote of confidence on this decision on July 8. Had he lost this vote, Desjardins would have resigned as MLA, and would have run as a
Liberal-Democrat candidate in a subsequent by-election. About 1000 people
683:
639:
In 1973, Schreyer's New
Democrats were re-elected, winning their first majority government. Desjardins had resigned from cabinet on January 28, 1974, during the ongoing controversy concerning the St. Boniface results, but that December 23, he was re-admitted to cabinet as
687:
679:
641:
775:
economy. In 2002, he wrote an open letter on health-care reform, arguing that money alone would not resolve the problems within the system. In March 2003, he participated in a discussion on health-care funding at the
755:
for most, if not all of time in the provincial NDP. This practice is no longer possible; the federal NDP is now integrated with its provincial and territorial branches. He openly supported former
Liberal MLA
997:
645:
751:
character". He was regarded as cautious and pragmatic, and was often more supportive of small-business interests than others in the New
Democratic Party. Desjardins was a member of the federal
705:
620:(which included St. Boniface). This group convinced the Progressive Conservative Party to withdraw their candidate in St. Boniface to provide a single "anti-socialist" alternative to the NDP.
780:, in which he argued that Canada's provinces should be permitted to enact user fees and expand the role of the private sector in health-care provision. He served as first president of the
597:
628:
573:. This, however, did not occur. The impasse was ended when Desjardins announced that he would offer parliamentary support to the NDP, and change his party affiliation to
627:. Following a very close race, Marion was declared the winner by a single vote (4301 to 4300). This result was disputed, however, and was subsequently overturned by the
184:
1123:
1093:
256:
564:
The 1969 election was a watershed in
Manitoba politics, and resulted in a dramatic shift in Desjardins' career. Under Edward Schreyer's leadership, the
1078:
771:
During the 1990s, Desjardins led a policy review group which studied
Manitoba's lotteries system, and argued against the expansion of Manitoba's
1098:
693:
During the 1980s, Desjardins was a prominent supporter of Howard Pawley's efforts to expand and entrench French-language services in Manitoba.
1103:
724:
he stopped attending sessions of the legislature after this period. He then served as head of the Manitoba Health Organization until 1990.
534:
529:
In 1961, Desjardins emerged as one of the leading parliamentary supporters of government funding for private and denominational schools. A
243:
958:
1023:
732:'s decision to vote against his government's budget was enough to defeat the Pawley ministry in the House. The NDP lost the subsequent
519:
675:
608:
Given the lack of historical francophone support for the NDP in Manitoba, it was unclear if Desjardins would be re-elected in the
556:, Desjardins faced stronger than usual competition from his New Democratic opponent, Kam Gajdosik, but won by 4210 votes to 2656.
1118:
580:
Desjardins' change of affiliation was significant, and on some levels surprising. He had previously been known as an opponent of
877:
1113:
670:, and Desjardins was personally re-elected without difficulty. He was re-appointed to cabinet on November 30, 1981, serving as
498:
on the St. Boniface City Council from 1951 to 1954, and also serving on the St. Boniface Hospital Board for a number of years.
1128:
844:
812:
788:
35:
1108:
1088:
743:
During his time in the legislature, Desjardins was known as a personable figure; fellow New Democratic cabinet minister
781:
708:(once again holding responsibility for the Boxing and Wrestling Commission Act and the Fitness and Amateur Sport Act).
697:
777:
1083:
427:
238:
540:
Despite the Roblin government's popularity, Desjardins had little difficulty being returned in the elections of
765:
737:
733:
701:
663:
652:
609:
553:
545:
541:
511:
507:
301:
297:
260:
684:
Minister responsible for Sport, the Fitness and Amateur Sport Act, and the Boxing and Wrestling Commission Act
488:
394:
712:
927:
671:
526:'s first majority win, and Desjardins joined ten other Liberal-Progressives in the official opposition.
761:
655:, although Schreyer's New Democrats were defeated provincially by the Progressive Conservatives under
515:
475:. He was inducted into Manitoba’s sports hall of fame in 1990. He served in the Canadian navy during
87:
711:
Desjardins's work for the interest of sport in Manitoba was recognized with his induction into the
613:
966:
752:
403:
549:
387:
346:
834:
468:
1027:
813:"L'ancien ministre provincial Laurent Desjardins est mort à l'âge de 88 ans | Manitoba"
1073:
1068:
423:
748:
8:
484:
982:
919:
878:"globeandmail.com: Gentle giant of Manitoba politics championed French-language rights"
472:
362:
840:
464:
448:
The son of Joseph A. Desjardins and Valentine Desautels, Desjardins was educated at
631:. In December 1974, Desjardins defeated Marion in a by-election by over 600 votes.
585:
565:
471:. He was general manager of the St. Boniface Jr. Canadians and was a scout for the
458:
479:. He worked as a funeral director, and was the President and Managing Director of
530:
523:
433:
205:
153:
132:
68:
757:
624:
325:
272:
217:
1062:
744:
667:
656:
570:
437:
313:
108:
56:
494:
Desjardins began his political career at the municipal level, serving as an
491:
during the early years of his career. In 1944, he married Bernice McGuire.
476:
426:
for most of the period from 1959 to 1988, and was a cabinet minister under
729:
284:
229:
177:
165:
120:
659:. Desjardins sat as a member of the opposition for the next four years.
612:, and his riding was targeted by a right-wing "citizen's" group in the
682:. He was re-designated as Minister of Health with responsibility for
581:
569:
parties except the NDP under the leadership of former Liberal leader
372:
80:
617:
495:
419:
430:
772:
644:. On January 8, 1975, he was also given responsibility for the
510:, he was elected to the Manitoba legislature in the riding of
1052:"Minister of Health and Social Development" from 1974 to 1977
623:
Desjardins' sole opponent in June 1973 was Liberal candidate
1002:
Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame - Honoured members database
548:(the Liberal-Progressives had changed their name to the
418:(March 15, 1923 – February 7, 2012) was a politician in
836:
Manitoba's French-Language Crisis: A Cautionary Tale
700:. He was again re-elected without difficulty in the
598:
Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
185:
Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
791:in Winnipeg following a fall; he was 88 years old.
696:On January 30, 1985, Desjardins was shifted to the
1060:
100:November 30, 1981 – September 21, 1987
1026:. Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from
920:"Laurent Louis "Larry" Desjardins (1923-2012)"
596:On December 1, 1971, Desjardins was appointed
1124:Royal Canadian Navy personnel of World War II
145:December 23, 1974 – October 24, 1977
1094:Members of the Executive Council of Manitoba
704:, and on April 17, 1986, he was reappointed
197:December 1, 1971 – January 28, 1974
896:
894:
875:
839:. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. p. 18.
662:The New Democrats returned to power in the
48:January 30, 1985 – April 17, 1986
1079:Canadian military personnel from Manitoba
953:
951:
949:
947:
945:
943:
900:
826:
642:Minister of Health and Social Development
891:
871:
869:
867:
865:
863:
651:Desjardins was easily re-elected in the
422:, Canada. He served as a member of the
980:"Desjardins is supported in NDP move".
1061:
940:
832:
807:
805:
803:
489:Canadian Council of Christian and Jews
1099:New Democratic Party of Manitoba MLAs
914:
912:
860:
559:
1104:People from Saint Boniface, Winnipeg
736:, and did not return to power until
603:
501:
800:
13:
909:
715:as a Multi-sport Builder in 1990.
463:. Desjardins played professional
14:
1140:
782:Western Canada Lottery Foundation
778:Frontier Centre for Public Policy
688:Manitoba Lotteries Foundation Act
508:Manitoba general election of 1959
963:Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
680:Lotteries and Gaming Control Act
676:Minister of Recreation and Sport
416:Laurent Louis "Larry" Desjardins
239:Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
1016:
760:'s successful bid to enter the
634:
1119:Manitoba municipal councillors
1046:
990:
973:
734:1988 Manitoba general election
678:, with responsibility for the
1:
1114:Winnipeg Blue Bombers players
794:
718:
443:
1129:Accidental deaths from falls
998:"Laurent "Larry" Desjardins"
959:"MLA Biographies - Deceased"
903:Canadian Parliamentary Guide
901:Normandin, Pierre G (1965).
815:(in French). Radio-Canada.ca
713:Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame
706:Minister of Health and Sport
7:
928:Manitoba Historical Society
833:Hebert, Raymond M. (2005).
610:provincial election of 1973
388:Liberal-Progressive/Liberal
10:
1145:
1109:Sportspeople from Winnipeg
1089:Canadian funeral directors
986:. July 9, 1969. p. 1.
876:Alan Hustak (1923-03-15).
762:House of Commons of Canada
629:Controverted Elections Act
698:Ministry of Urban Affairs
614:recently amalgamated city
409:
378:
368:
352:
340:
335:
331:
319:
307:
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138:
126:
114:
104:
93:
86:
74:
62:
52:
41:
36:Minister of Urban Affairs
34:
30:
23:
880:. V1.theglobeandmail.com
702:1986 provincial election
666:under the leadership of
664:1981 provincial election
520:Progressive Conservative
1084:Franco-Manitoban people
787:Desjardins died at the
518:. This was the year of
392:Independent (1969-1971)
646:Manitoba Lotteries Act
550:Manitoba Liberal Party
483:. He also joined the
347:St. Boniface, Manitoba
535:native French-speaker
469:Winnipeg Blue Bombers
924:Memorable Manitobans
461:College of Embalming
450:St. Boniface College
424:Manitoba legislature
747:once called him a "
516:Liberal-Progressive
485:Knights of Columbus
16:Canadian politician
1024:"Larry Desjardins"
983:The Globe and Mail
672:Minister of Health
560:Crossing the floor
473:Montreal Canadiens
454:St. Paul's College
363:Winnipeg, Manitoba
88:Minister of Health
25:Laurent Desjardins
846:978-0-7735-2790-4
789:Victoria Hospital
604:Defeat and return
589:government side.
566:social-democratic
552:in 1961). In the
502:Provincial career
413:
412:
257:December 20, 1974
1136:
1053:
1050:
1039:
1038:
1036:
1035:
1020:
1014:
1013:
1011:
1009:
1004:. Sport Manitoba
994:
988:
987:
977:
971:
970:
965:. Archived from
955:
938:
937:
935:
934:
916:
907:
906:
898:
889:
888:
886:
885:
873:
858:
857:
855:
853:
830:
824:
823:
821:
820:
809:
728:NDP backbencher
586:Franco-Manitoban
575:Liberal-Democrat
359:
356:February 7, 2012
336:Personal details
322:
310:
295:
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269:
254:
226:
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195:
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117:
98:
77:
65:
46:
21:
20:
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974:
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941:
932:
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918:
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910:
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883:
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874:
861:
851:
849:
847:
831:
827:
818:
816:
811:
810:
801:
797:
721:
637:
606:
562:
524:Dufferin Roblin
504:
446:
434:Edward Schreyer
398:
393:
391:
386:
379:Political party
361:
357:
345:
320:
308:
296:
291:
279:
267:
255:
250:
241:
237:
224:
212:
206:Edward Schreyer
196:
191:
172:
160:
154:Edward Schreyer
144:
139:
133:Wilson Parasiuk
127:
115:
99:
94:
75:
69:Mary Beth Dolin
63:
47:
42:
26:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1142:
1132:
1131:
1126:
1121:
1116:
1111:
1106:
1101:
1096:
1091:
1086:
1081:
1076:
1071:
1055:
1054:
1044:
1043:
1041:
1040:
1015:
989:
972:
969:on 2014-03-30.
939:
908:
890:
859:
845:
825:
798:
796:
793:
758:Lloyd Axworthy
720:
717:
636:
633:
625:J. Paul Marion
605:
602:
561:
558:
531:Roman Catholic
503:
500:
445:
442:
428:New Democratic
411:
410:
407:
406:
380:
376:
375:
370:
366:
365:
360:(aged 88)
354:
350:
349:
344:March 15, 1923
342:
338:
337:
333:
332:
329:
328:
326:J. Paul Marion
323:
317:
316:
311:
305:
304:
288:
287:
282:
276:
275:
273:J. Paul Marion
270:
264:
263:
261:April 26, 1988
247:
246:
233:
232:
227:
221:
220:
218:Peter Burtniak
215:
209:
208:
203:
199:
198:
188:
187:
181:
180:
175:
169:
168:
163:
157:
156:
151:
147:
146:
136:
135:
130:
124:
123:
118:
112:
111:
106:
102:
101:
91:
90:
84:
83:
78:
72:
71:
66:
60:
59:
54:
50:
49:
39:
38:
32:
31:
28:
27:
24:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1141:
1130:
1127:
1125:
1122:
1120:
1117:
1115:
1112:
1110:
1107:
1105:
1102:
1100:
1097:
1095:
1092:
1090:
1087:
1085:
1082:
1080:
1077:
1075:
1072:
1070:
1067:
1066:
1064:
1049:
1045:
1030:on 2013-10-14
1029:
1025:
1019:
1003:
999:
993:
985:
984:
976:
968:
964:
960:
954:
952:
950:
948:
946:
944:
929:
925:
921:
915:
913:
904:
897:
895:
879:
872:
870:
868:
866:
864:
848:
842:
838:
837:
829:
814:
808:
806:
804:
799:
792:
790:
785:
783:
779:
774:
769:
767:
763:
759:
754:
753:Liberal Party
750:
746:
745:Russell Doern
741:
739:
735:
731:
725:
716:
714:
709:
707:
703:
699:
694:
691:
689:
685:
681:
677:
673:
669:
668:Howard Pawley
665:
660:
658:
657:Sterling Lyon
654:
653:1977 election
649:
647:
643:
632:
630:
626:
621:
619:
615:
611:
601:
599:
594:
590:
587:
583:
578:
576:
572:
571:Gildas Molgat
567:
557:
555:
554:1969 election
551:
547:
543:
538:
536:
532:
527:
525:
521:
517:
513:
509:
499:
497:
492:
490:
486:
482:
478:
474:
470:
466:
462:
460:
455:
451:
441:
439:
438:Howard Pawley
435:
432:
429:
425:
421:
417:
408:
405:
401:
396:
389:
384:
381:
377:
374:
371:
367:
364:
355:
351:
348:
343:
339:
334:
330:
327:
324:
318:
315:
314:Roger Teillet
312:
306:
303:
302:June 28, 1973
299:
294:
289:
286:
283:
277:
274:
271:
265:
262:
258:
253:
248:
245:
240:
236:Member of the
234:
231:
228:
222:
219:
216:
210:
207:
204:
200:
194:
189:
186:
182:
179:
176:
170:
167:
164:
158:
155:
152:
148:
142:
137:
134:
131:
125:
122:
119:
113:
110:
109:Howard Pawley
107:
103:
97:
92:
89:
85:
82:
79:
73:
70:
67:
61:
58:
57:Howard Pawley
55:
51:
45:
40:
37:
33:
29:
22:
19:
1048:
1032:. Retrieved
1028:the original
1018:
1006:. Retrieved
1001:
992:
981:
975:
967:the original
962:
931:. Retrieved
923:
902:
882:. Retrieved
850:. Retrieved
835:
828:
817:. Retrieved
786:
770:
742:
726:
722:
710:
695:
692:
661:
650:
638:
635:Later career
622:
607:
595:
591:
579:
574:
563:
539:
528:
512:St. Boniface
505:
493:
481:Chapels, Ltd
480:
477:World War II
457:
453:
449:
447:
415:
414:
399:
395:Manitoba NDP
382:
358:(2012-02-07)
321:Succeeded by
300: –
298:May 14, 1959
292:
280:Succeeded by
259: –
251:
244:St. Boniface
225:Succeeded by
192:
173:Succeeded by
140:
128:Succeeded by
95:
76:Succeeded by
43:
18:
1074:2012 deaths
1069:1923 births
1008:12 November
730:Jim Walding
397:(1971-1988)
390:(1959-1969)
369:Nationality
309:Preceded by
285:Neil Gaudry
268:Preceded by
230:Rene Toupin
213:Preceded by
178:Bud Sherman
166:Saul Miller
161:Preceded by
121:Bud Sherman
116:Preceded by
64:Preceded by
1063:Categories
1034:2013-10-13
933:2013-10-13
884:2012-03-04
819:2012-03-04
795:References
749:Rabelasian
719:Retirement
584:, and the
459:Cincinnati
444:Early life
383:Provincial
582:socialism
467:with the
293:In office
252:In office
193:In office
141:In office
96:In office
81:Gary Doer
44:In office
852:10 April
686:and the
618:Winnipeg
522:Premier
496:alderman
487:and the
465:football
456:and the
431:Premiers
420:Manitoba
373:Canadian
506:In the
404:Liberal
400:Federal
202:Premier
150:Premier
105:Premier
53:Premier
843:
773:casino
533:and a
514:as a
1010:2021
854:2011
841:ISBN
766:1979
738:1999
674:and
546:1966
544:and
542:1962
436:and
353:Died
341:Born
242:for
764:in
616:of
1065::
1000:.
961:.
942:^
926:.
922:.
911:^
893:^
862:^
802:^
784:.
768:.
740:.
690:.
648:.
577:.
452:,
440:.
402::
1037:.
1012:.
936:.
905:.
887:.
856:.
822:.
385::
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.