Manitoba Politician, Speaker of The Legislature 1977 – 1981
Harry Edward Graham was born December 26, 1921 in Foxwarren, Manitoba. He farmed in the Foxwarren/Binscarth area and lived in the Village of Binscarth. He served as a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1969 to 1986.
Harry was educated at the University of Manitoba. He served as Vice- chairman of the Russell District Hospital and was also the President of the Progressive Conservative Association in the federal riding of
Marquette.
He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in a by-election on Feb 20,1969, in the riding of Birtle-Russell,a riding previously held by the Liberals. Harry received 46.46% of the vote and this victory provided
an impetus for Progressive Conservative Premier Walter Weir to call a general election later that year.
Although he was elected by only a slight majority over the NDP candidate he was re-elected again in 1977.
In 1977, under the Premier Sterling Lyon he began his position of Speaker of the legislature, a position that continued until 1981.
In 1981 he won his easiest re-election victory running in the redistributed riding of Virden but in this term he served as an opposition member. He served for five years. He did not seek re-election in 1986.
Harry passed away September 21,2006.
He was well known locally for the beautiful flowerbed he maintained, pictures are shown below. This flower bed is now maintained by the Binscarth Bloomers!