Interview with two longtime Manitoba MLAs.

• Author: Gary Levy

Few legislators have long political careers. The turnover in most Canadian legislatures is such that two or three terms is considered a long time. There are, of course, exceptions. In Manitoba the two longest serving members are Harry Enns and Len Evans. Mr. Enns, a Member of the Progressive Conservative Party was first elected in 1966 and has been re-elected eight consecutive times. Presently, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Enns has also held several portfolios including, Mines and Natural Resources, Public Works, Highways, and Government Services. Len Evans, a Member of the New Democratic Party was first elected in 1969. Presently the Opposition Finance Critic, Mr. Evans is a former Minister of Mines and Natural Resources and later Minister of Industry and Commerce. They were interviewed by Gary Levy in May 1996.

How did you get into politics?

Harry Enns: I lived in the InterLake region of Manitoba. The agricultural land is not as good as elsewhere in the province and under a federal-regional development program at the time (ARDA) the region was designated as an area eligible to receive development assistance. I was one of several local people active in co-ordinating the development and this led to further involvement in public life.

Len Evans: In 1953, while still a student, I ran for the CCF. I was the proverbial sacrificial lamb in St. Boniface, a riding held for many years by the Liberals. However, I did manage to come in second, ahead of the Conservative candidate who was mayor of Winnipeg.

Upon graduation I took a job in Ottawa with the Dominion Bureau of Statistics and forgot about politics. Our family was eager to return to Manitoba and we did in the 1960s. I became a professor at Brandon University and enjoyed teaching. In 1969 I got caught up in the euphoria surrounding Ed Schreyer's election as leader of the NDP. I decided to run for office again fully expecting to lose. Instead I was elected and have been in office ever since. Sometimes it is difficult to leave politics even if you want to. The party activists count on you to hold the seat. So, I have stayed longer than I ever expected.

What impression did you have at your first session of the legislature?

Harry Enns: Like many members, I had to come to terms with the question of how much an elected member can lead and how much he has to follow the party line. This is still one of the questions new members have to wrestle with.

Thirty years ago there was probably more opportunities for individual members, to act and speak independently. Today new members quickly learn to take directions from the Whip.

Len Evans: The Legislature was more or less what I expected. I had some friends who had been members and there were no great surprises. What I remember most about those days was the great sense of excitement in our party. We were the province's first NDP Government and although in a minority parliament, there were many...