Liberal MP Jim Carr Dead at 71

After a three year battle with cancer, Jim Carr passed away December 12 surrounded by family. I did not know him well but ran in the same provincial election that saw 20 Liberals break through to become Official Opposition in the provincial legislature. The Liberals under Sharon Carstairs went from one seat to a party that had some outstanding MLAs in what had been a very polarized house. I went on to work in the legislature in late 1988/89 as well as working on the federal election that saw the Liberals go from one to seat to five in the province.

To put it bluntly 1988 was a time when some thought a death rattle for the Liberals both provincially and federally was sounding. From 1981-1986, there were only the NDP and the Progressive Conservatives in the provincial legislature. There were few times as toxic as that period in Manitoba history. It was an act of faith in 1988 to run as a Liberal either provincially or federally. Many were saying there should only be two parties. Some provinces were electing nearly all one party.

Carr at the time was a musician with the Winnipeg Symphony and arts council executive. A long time Liberal and faithful Jewish man, he put his name up against a powerful NDP cabinet minister Roland Penner. There had not been a provincial Liberal government since the 1950s so hardly anyone could say it was opportunistic. People were just that fed up of the bombastic politics in some of the most difficult years in Manitoba history.

In Manitoba, the electorate took a chance and Jim Carr was of the MLAs elected and became deputy leader defeating an NDP cabinet minister in the process. Serving for four years before moving into a Free Press journalism and then later as President and founder of the Business Council in Manitoba, Carr found ways to serve the province he loved.

In a highly charged partisan world, he managed to have the working relationships that only come from being respectful. For a time in the 1990s his name would always come up in conversation about mayoral elections. However, in 2015, he put his name up in the federal election for the Liberals headed up by Justin Trudeau. It was dark days for the Liberals nationally with only 36 seats. The NDP were the Official Opposition after their amazing run with leader Jack Layton, who fell to cancer and never would go on to live in Stornoway. Still, many thought the Conservatives under would defeat the opposition and perhaps but the nail in the coffin for the Liberals forever.

In a shocking reversal of fortunes, the Liberals won and Jim Carr, based on his political and business experience, would become a cabinet minister. Carr earned respect for his civility and his ability to come to deals in trade, intergovernmental relations and cross party collegial engagement. He loved his province, was active in the Jewish community and friend of Israel, a supporter of the arts and had a firm commitment to business. 

Cancer has been a battle he fought for three years. He was still working up till the last week, passing bills and making positive addresses to the Commons. In days when politicians are not held in high esteem, Carr earned respect and he strived to work with people to reach solutions to the issues of the day. We can only hope to see more of this type of public servant in office.