David Newman

David Gerald Newman, (born August 18, 1944

Early life and education

The son of Walter C. Newman and Jean MacHray, he was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and educated at the University of Manitoba and Dalhousie University, receiving an LL.B. from the latter institution in 1968. He joined the law firm of Newman, MacLean in 1968, and became a partner in 1973. He was called to the Manitoba bar in 1969. Newman founded the firm of Newman & Company in 1978, and was a senior partner in Pitblado and Hoskin (now Pitblado LLP) from 1985 to 1995, serving as its Managing Partner 1987-88 and Chairman after 1989-95. He also served as Chair of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce in 1989-90, and President of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg 1994-95 and co-founder and vice-chair 2003 and co-chair since 2009 of Rotary International District 5550 World Peace Partners.

In 1996, as legislative assistant to the Minister of Justice, Newman chaired a task force looking into the restructuring of Manitoba's civil justice system. The Manitoba Civil Justice Review Task Force Report September 1996 resulted.

He entered cabinet on January 6, 1997, serving as Manitoba Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister of Northern Affairs, with responsibility for Native Affairs, the Communities Economic Development Fund Act and the Manitoba Hydro Act.