John Thompson (Manitoba Politician) - in The Manitoba Cabinet

In The Manitoba Cabinet

The PCs took power in 1958 after winning a minority government under Roblin. With 64% of the vote Thompson was re-elected in a redistributed Virden constituency, where he defeated Liberal-Progressive incumbent Francis C. Bell. As the Tories assumed office on June 30, 1958 Thompson was a surprise choice by Roblin for Minister of Labour. Having had no experience in labour relations, Thompson had been tipped as a possible choice for Attorney-General, which instead went to Sterling Lyon. However Roblin saw in Thompson a “born conciliator” who “never failed to deliver a cogent and effective argument”. As Minister of Labour Thompson declared his major task as the “welfare of the worker”. He was also named Minister of Municipal Affairs.

At the end of March 1959, following heated debates regarding the upcoming fiscal budget, the government lost the confidence of the legislature and fresh elections were called for June. Easily re-elected in the May 1959 election with 68% of the Virden vote, Thompson continued to hold his Labour and Municipal Affairs portfolios.

As the end of 1959 approached, Roblin and Deputy Premier and former party leader Errick Willis were discussing the timing of Willis departure and next post. Willis resigned his office on December 21, 1959, and Roblin then appointed Thompson to move from Labour and pick up the Public Works portfolio. Three weeks later Willis was appointed as Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. Thompson stayed as Minister of Public Works for the remainder of his time in office.