Jim Rondeau (born April 6, 1959) is a former politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1999 to 2016, and served as cabinet minister in the provincial governments of Gary Doer and Greg Selinger from 2003 to 2013. Rondeau is a member of the New Democratic Party. Rondeau did not seek re-election in the 2016 Manitoba election.
Early life and career
The son of Gaston Joseph Rondeau and Dorothy Jean Finch, he was born in Winnipeg, and was educated at John Taylor Collegiate. He holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Winnipeg and has completed post-baccalaureate studies at the University of Manitoba. He was a teacher at Norway House High School from 1981 to 1984 and later taught at Cranberry Portage, before becoming coordinator of the Frontier School Division at the University of Winnipeg. Rondeau helped establish several learning centres and libraries throughout the province,Nick Martin, "Summer reading in cards for pupils", Winnipeg Free Press, 19 May 2002, A4; Nick Martin, "Literacy programs reap happy harvest", Winnipeg Free Press, 9 September 2002, A12. and founded a school-to-work transition program for young people from northern Manitoba.Allison Bray, "Getting a feel for the job", Winnipeg Free Press, 29 March 1996, A10. He also coached the Winnipeg Eagles Volleyball Club, and was coach and manager of the Manitoba Volleyball team in several North American Aboriginal Games.Aldo Santin, "Everything isn't just Ducky", Winnipeg Free Press, 26 April 1995; Marvin MacDonald, "Young swimmer's showing earns spot on national team", Winnipeg Free Press, 30 July 1993; Kim Guttormson, "Politicians jump at chance to aid Games' success", Winnipeg Free Press, 1 August 2002, A7.
Politician
Government backbencher
Rondeau was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature in the 1999 provincial election with a dramatic victory in the west-end Winnipeg riding of Assiniboia, previously regarded as safe for the Progressive Conservative Party. On election night, the final vote totals showed Progressive Conservative incumbent Linda McIntosh winning re-election by two votes."Northwest Winnipeg", Winnipeg Free Press, 22 September 1999, B3. After the institutional ballots were counted, however, Rondeau was declared elected by six votes."Institutional vote bolsters to NDP majority", Globe and Mail, 25 September 1999, A5; David Kuxhaus, "NDP gains another seat", Winnipeg Free Press, 25 September 1999. A recount later reduced his majority to four, and a subsequent judicial ruling struck it down to three."McIntosh appeals...", Winnipeg Free Press, 20 October 1999, A8; "Rondeau cements Assiniboia victory", Winnipeg Free Press, 30 October 1999, A8. Rondeau indicated that one of the disqualified votes was marked with a happy face symbol instead of an "X".
Rondeau entered the legislature as a backbench supporter of Gary Doer's government, and soon became known as a strong constituency worker.David Kuxhaus, "Manitoba Tories start long march to recapturing key PC constituency", Winnipeg Free Press, 12 September 2002, A4. He kept a strong interest in educational issues, and was a frequent participant in debates at the St. James-Assiniboia School Board.Some board members resented his involvement. See "School board feuding with MLA Rondeau interfering: St. James chairman", Winnipeg Free Press, 23 October 2000, A12. He represented the provincial government at Manitoba's 2001 Hire a Student Day event,"Looking for summer help? Students eager to get jobs", Winnipeg Free Press, 6 May 2001, A4. and was appointed to the board of Junior Achievement of Manitoba in 2003 with responsibility for Government, Education and Labor Relations."Manitoba movers", Winnipeg Free Press, 14 April 2003, B9. Rondeau also played an important role in assuring passage of the provincial Canadian Forces Personnel Act.
Rondeau is the first openly gay member of the Manitoba legislature, and was the keynote speaker of Winnipeg's 2000 Gay Pride Parade."Exhibits, events highlight gay week", Winnipeg Free Press, 13 June 2000, A8. He encouraged the Doer government to introduce full legal equality for gay and lesbian couples during its first term, and strongly supported 2002 legislation that ensured full equality for all common-law relationships."NDP gallops ahead on gay rights", Winnipeg Free Press, 8 June 2002, A14. He later became a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage, which was legalized in Canada in 2005.Patti Edgar, "300 rally to back gay marriage", Winnipeg Free Press, 6 October 2003, A3. Rondeau has said that his sexual orientation has never been controversial in his constituency, once telling a journalist, "People don't care one way or the other. I'm surprised, pleasantly surprised, that people don't make it an issue."Aldo Santin, "NDP in fight for hard-won seat", Winnipeg Free Press, 24 May 2003, A11.
Rondeau supported Jack Layton for the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party in 2003.
Minister of Healthy Living
Rondeau's narrow victory in 1999 made his seat a key Progressive Conservative target in the 2003 election, but he was re-elected with 63% of the vote, winning every poll but one. In November 2003, he was appointed as Minister of Healthy Living within the Department of Health, with special responsibility for Seniors and Healthy Child Manitoba. He became a strong advocate for public awareness and preventative medicine,Mia Rabson, "New minister taking a healthy approach", Winnipeg Free Press, 8 December 2003, B5. and indicated that the Doer government would consider removing the provincial sales tax from nutritional supplements and alternative foods.Daniel Lett, "Healthier foods may get PST break", Winnipeg Free Press, 10 May 2004, B5.
In December 2003, Rondeau announced that Manitoba would ban all smoking from indoor public places and workplaces within a year. The initiative was described as the most ambitious anti-smoking strategy in Canada, and a February 2004 poll showed that many smokers were considering quitting in light of the ban."Can province enforce smoking ban?", Winnipeg Free Press, 24 November 2003, B2; Leah Janzen, "Ban spurs smokers to quit: poll", Winnipeg Free Press, 12 February 2004, A3. See also Leah Janzen, "Teen smoking plunges in province", Winnipeg Free Press, 10 August 2004, A1. Rondeau introduced the anti-smoking bill in March 2004, and the ban came into effect at the beginning of October."Manitoba and New Brunswick banned smoking in all public places", CTV News, 1 October 2004. The bill exempted tobacco shops as well as native reserves and casinos, which the government argued were outside provincial jurisdiction.Mia Rabson, "Smoking ban 'historic'", Winnipeg Free Press, 3 March 2004, A1; "Smokers won't be completely out in the cold once Manitoba's new anti-smoking law takes effect", Broadcast News, 4 March 2004, 19:23.
In March 2004, Rondeau announced that the Doer government had signed a $2.5-million contract to create a Prostate Centre at CancerCare Manitoba.Mia Rabson, "Cancer battle given boost", Winnipeg Free Press, B7. He later handled negotiations concerning whether or not the Manitoba government would provide funding for an abortion clinic in Winnipeg.Patti Edgar, "Clinic asks province to pay for abortions", Winnipeg Free Press, 11 April 2004, A3. Despite some initial reluctance, he announced in July 2004 that the government would fully fund abortions at Jane's Clinic, once owned by Henry Morgentaler.Daniel Lett, "Province funding abortions at clinic", Winnipeg Free Press, 8 July 2004, A1. In late April 2004, he announced that the provincial government would pay for child vaccinations against chicken pox, meningitis and pneumococcus.Mia Rabson, "Children will get vaccines for free", Winnipeg Free Press, 28 April 2004, A1.
Rondeau and Fort Garry representative Kerri Irvin-Ross co-chaired public hearings on Manitoba's privacy laws in May 2004."Privacy laws under attack", Winnipeg Free Press, 15 May 2004, A3. Later in the year, he announced that the government would establish a "Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures" committee of the legislature.Mia Rabson, "Government wants to get kids off the couch", Winnipeg Free Press, 1 September 2004, A4.
Minister of Industry, Economic Development and Mines
Rondeau was promoted to a full cabinet portfolio on October 12, 2004, as Minister of Industry, Economic Development and Mines. He indicated that Manitoba had the potential for strong economic growth in the mining sector, particularly in light of the need for raw materials in countries such as India and China. He also announced that he would work to reduce government bureaucracy in the sector, and make it easier for mining projects to get underway.Geoff Kirbyson, "Miners locate optimism", Winnipeg Free Press, 20 November 2004, C9. The mining sector reported dramatic growth in 2005, highlighted by a new investment from Inco and a new gold mine project in Bissett.Murray McNeill, "Mining exploration soars in province", Winnipeg Free Press, 6 July 2005, B7; Tara Perkins, "Inco to develop new nickel ore body at the Thompson mine in Manitoba", Canadian Press, 29 August 2005, 15:14; Bill Redekop, "Bissett going for gold: Biggest mine to open in 15 years creates jobs, hope", Winnipeg Free Press, 19 November 2005, B6.
Rondeau launched a farm immigration program in February 2005, making it easier for young farmers to move to Manitoba."MB Adds Farm Component To Nominee Program", Resource News International, 8 February 2005, 15:05; Bill Redekop, "Province luring foreign farmers", Winnipeg Free Press, 9 February 2005, A6. He also expanded oil exploration in the province, removing the sales tax for drilling and exploration equipment.Martin Cash, "Province to eliminate sales tax on oil exploration equipment", Winnipeg Free Press, 9 March 2006, B5. Manitoba's oil sector grew at a record level in 2006, with 478 new wells started.Mia Rabson, "Oil industry shatters record 478 new wells dug last year in Manitoba", Winnipeg Free Press, 16 January 2007, A3.
In 2004–05, Rondeau accused the federal government and federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh of undermining Manitoba's online pharmaceutical industry, which was then shipping large quantities of medication to the United States of America.Mia Robson, "Feds would kill city jobs to safeguard drug supply", Winnipeg Free Press, 19 December 2006, A1. He argued that the government should compensate Manitoba for lost jobs if it chose to shut down the sector.Paul Egan, "Pay up for lost Net jobs, feds told", Winnipeg Free Press, 8 January 2005, A1. Rondeau later indicated that he would support a ban on bulk exports to America, but added that government intervention appeared to be unnecessary in any event.Michelle MacAfee, "Online pharmacists hope to make fresh start with new Tory government", Canadian Press, 5 February 2006, 15:57.
As Industry minister, Rondeau was responsible for overseeing the troubled Crocus Investment Fund and faced difficult questions relating to the fund's management in early 2005.Paul Egan, "Ministers rebuff call to dump Crocus director", Winnipeg Free Press, 12 April 2005, A3. He acknowledged that the province was responsible for regulating Crocus, but argued that it had no involvement in the fund's day-to-day operations."Man. government won't be named in class-action suit by Crocus shareholders", Canadian Press, 9 July 2005, 21:03; Larry Kusch, "Crocus class action won't touch province", Winnipeg Free Press, 10 July 2005, A1.
Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines
After a cabinet shuffle on September 21, 2006, Rondeau was reassigned as Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines. Soon after his appointment, he announced that the Doer government would spend $70M to clean up the province's abandoned mines.Mia Rabson, "$70M set aside to clean up toxic mine sites", Winnipeg Free Press, 29 September 2006, A6.