Robert Bockstael (politician)

Robert Theodore Bockstael
Member of Parliament
for Saint Boniface
In office
1979–1984
Preceded byJack Hare
Succeeded byLéo Duguay
Personal details
Born(1923-02-15)15 February 1923
Saint Boniface, Manitoba
Died28 June 2017(2017-06-28) (aged 94)
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Political partyLiberal
Professionbusinessman

Robert Theodore Bockstael (15 February 1923 – 28 June 2017) was a Liberal party member of the House of Commons of Canada. A businessman by career, he was the longtime manager of Bockstael Construction in Winnipeg until his entry into politics;[1] the firm is still in operation today under the management of Bockstael's son John.[1]

Bockstael initially attempted to enter national politics in a 16 October 1978 by-election at Manitoba's Saint Boniface electoral district but was defeated by Jack Hare of the Progressive Conservative party. Months later in the 1979 general election, he won the riding from Hare. After re-election in 1980 federal election, he was defeated in the 1984 federal election by Léo Duguay of the Progressive Conservatives and left federal politics after that. Bockstael served in the 31st and 32nd Canadian Parliaments.

His nephew, also named Robert Bockstael, is a noted actor.

Electoral history

[edit]
1984 Canadian federal election: Saint Boniface—Saint Vital
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Léo Duguay 19,548 39.7 +10.3
Liberal Robert Bockstael 16,763 34.0 -11.2
New Democratic Armand T. Bédard 11,279 22.9 -2.3
Confederation of Regions Dennis A. Epps 1,649 3.3
Total valid votes 49,239 100.0
1980 Canadian federal election: Saint Boniface—Saint Vital
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Robert Bockstael 20,076 45.2 +4.4
Progressive Conservative Tom Denton 13,044 29.4 -5.8
New Democratic Marc Boily 11,191 25.2 +1.5
Marxist–Leninist Sharon Segal 57 0.1 0.0
Total valid votes 44,368 100.0
lop.parl.ca
1979 Canadian federal election: Saint Boniface—Saint Vital
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Robert Bockstael 19,752 40.9 +9.2
Progressive Conservative Jack Hare 16,987 35.2 -7.4
New Democratic Grant Wichenko 11,455 23.7 +1.7
Marxist–Leninist Manuel Gitterman 60 0.1
Independent Russ Maley 56 0.1
Total valid votes 48,310 100.0
Canadian federal by-election, 16 October 1978
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
On Mr. Guay's resignation, 23 March 1978
Progressive Conservative Jack Hare 18,552 42.6 +6.4
Liberal Robert Bockstael 13,804 31.7 -10.9
New Democratic Grant Wichenko 9,570 22.0 +1.8
Social Credit Lorne Reznowski 1,204 2.8 +1.7
Independent Donald Bryan Oliver 281 0.6
Independent William Hawryluk 161 0.4
Total valid votes 43,572 100.0

References

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  1. ^ a b "Bockstael Construction of Winnipeg celebrates 100 years". Daily Commercial News, 18 April 2012.
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