Larry Maguire - Politician

Politician

Federal politics

In June 1993, Maguire upset provincial cabinet minister Jim McCrae to win the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada nomination for Brandon—Souris in the 1993 federal election. The final vote among party members was 1,520 to 1,194. Maguire emphasized farming issues in his nomination speech, and argued that he would be successful in bringing Reform Party supporters back to the Progressive Conservatives.

The Brandon—Souris riding had been held by the PCs since 1953, and was considered a safe seat for the party. The party's support base in western Canada collapsed, however, and Maguire finished third against Liberal Party of Canada candidate Glen McKinnon. He planned to seek the PC nomination again for the 1997 election, but withdrew in favour of Brandon Mayor Rick Borotsik.

Provincial politics

Maguire sought the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba nomination for Arthur-Virden in April 1999, but lost to rival candidate Gary Nestibo. Nestibo forfeited his nomination following allegations of dubious land sales and vote-stacking, however, and a new nomination meeting was scheduled for August. Maguire finished second on the first ballot, behind Gary's wife Lorna Nestibo, but won on the second count with support from third-place candidate Grant Fotheringham. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in the 1999 provincial election, as the New Democratic Party won a majority government under Gary Doer. He entered the legislature as a member of the opposition.

Maguire was appointed as the Progressive Conservative critic for the environment, and lobbied for improvements to the provincial Water Rights Act. He represented the PCs in an all-party delegation to Ottawa to advocate increased funding for farmers, and served on an all-party provincial committee on agriculture.

There were rumours that Maguire would campaign to succeed Gary Filmon as Progressive Conservative Party leader in 2000, although nothing came of this. In 2001, he was reassigned as PC critic for rural development. Shortly thereafter, he recommended conducting research into the possibility of selling large quantities of water to the United States of America. In 2002, he participated in an all-party mission to the United States to oppose that country's farm subsidy policies. He was promoted to finance critic later in the year.

Maguire decided not to open a constituency office following his 1999 election, saying that he could communicate with his constituents by telephone and e-mail. In 2002, he was one of five PC MLAs to support a government motion granting pension, alimony and death benefits to gay and lesbian spouses.

He was re-elected in the 2003 provincial election, as the NDP won an increased majority across the province. After the election, he served as his party's critic for transportation, conservation and intergovernmental affairs. In 2004, he opposed a proposal to introduce photo radar in rural Manitoba. Hugh McFadyen was elected as the Progressive Conservative Party's new leader in 2006, and chose Maguire as his deputy leader and Infrastructure Critic.

Maguire was re-elected in the 2007 provincial election, in which the New Democratic Party won a third consecutive majority government. In September 2007, he was replaced as deputy leader by Myrna Driedger. He remains Critic for Infrastructure and Transportation, Government Services, and Competitiveness, Training and Trade.