George Hickes (politician)

George Hickes is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He is the current Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, a position he has held since 1999. Hickes is a member of the New Democratic Party.

Provincial politics

He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in the 1990 provincial election for the north-end Winnipeg constituency of Point Douglas, which has a large aboriginal community. Hickes received 2,278 votes, against 1,550 for his closest competitor, Liberal candidate Errol Lewis. He was re-elected by greater margins in the elections of 1995, 1999 and 2003, and received almost 75% of the popular vote on the latter occasion.

Related Topics:
Legislative Assembly of Manitoba - 1990 provincial election - Point Douglas - Liberal - Errol Lewis - 1995 - 1999 - 2003

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Hickes was the NDP whip and deputy house leader from 1990 to 1999, when his party was in opposition. He played a prominent role in having November 8 designated as a day to recognize Manitoba's aboriginal veterans, and successfully called for legislation requiring that cooking liqueurs sold in the province have no more than 25% alcohol content. The latter measure followed a series of deaths in Winnipeg involving Chinese cooking wine with a higher alcohol content.

Related Topics:
Whip - 1990 - November 8

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When Manitoba's electoral boundaries were redistributed in 1999, Hickes faced a challenge for the Point Douglas NDP nomination from fellow legislator Conrad Santos, whose Broadway constituency had been eliminated. Hickes won the challenge, and Santos was later elected for new electoral division of Wellington.

Related Topics:
Conrad Santos - Broadway - Wellington

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The NDP won a majority government in the 1999 election, and Hickes subsequently defeated Santos, Denis Rocan and Marcel Laurendeau in a free vote of the assembly to become its new speaker. He was the first speaker of the Manitoba legislature to be chosen in this manner; all previous speakers had been directly appointed by the premier. Hickes was re-elected speaker in 2003.

Related Topics:
Denis Rocan - Marcel Laurendeau - Speaker - Premier - 2003

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Hickes is the uncle of Nunavut politician Hunter Tootoo and hockey player Jordin Tootoo. He supported Lorne Nystrom's bid to lead the federal New Democratic Party in 1995.

Related Topics:
Hunter Tootoo - Jordin Tootoo - Lorne Nystrom - New Democratic Party - 1995

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Preceded by:Louise Dacquay1995-1999

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Speaker of the Manitoba Legislature1999-

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Succeeded by:incumbent

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Preceded by:The electoral division wascreated in 1989.

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Member of the ManitobaLegislature for Point Douglas1990-

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Succeeded by:incumbent

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