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David Chomiak




Chomiak was born in Winnipeg 's mostly working-class north end, and currently 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 Manitoba Legislature in the Provincial Election Of 1990 , 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 3324. 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 with responsibility 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 Manitoba Hydro . 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.

Chomiak is Pro-life , but as health minister never sought to criminalize abortions.