Brian Pallister
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Brian William Pallister (born July 6, 1954) is a Canadian politician.
Pallister was born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, and holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degree from Brandon University. He worked as a high school teacher in rural Manitoba in the late 1970s, and later became a chartered financial analyst.
Pallister began his political career at the provincial level, winning a by-election for the riding of Portage La Prairie on September 15, 1992. Pallister was sworn in to Gary Filmon's cabinet on May 9, 1995, and served as Minister of Government Services until January 6, 1997.
He resigned his seat on April 28, 1997 to run for the federal House of Commons as a Progressive Conservative in the riding of Portage—Lisgar. He was defeated by Jake Hoeppner of the Reform Party by about 1500 votes.
In 1998, Pallister ran for the leadership of the federal Progressive Conservative party on a platform favouring uniting with the Reform Party. Pallister placed third. He subsequently joined the Canadian Alliance (an alliance between the Reform Party and some Progressive Conservatives). Hoeppner had been expelled from the Reform Party, allowing Pallister to win the Alliance nomination in Portage—Lisgar without difficulty. He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 2000 general election.
When the canadian Alliance mergeed with the PC Party in 2003, Pallister became a member of the resulting Conservative Party of Canada on December 22, 2003. He was easily re-elected in 2004.
Preceded by: Ed Connery | Member of the Legislative Assembly for Portage La Prairie 1992-1997 | Succeeded by: David Faurschou |
Preceded by: Jake Hoeppner | Member of Parliament for Portage—Lisgar 2000-present | Succeeded by: Incumbent |