HOWARD R. PAWLEY

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THE HONOURABLE HOWARD R. PAWLEY P.C., O.C, O.M., Q.C., B.A., LLB.LL.D (Hons) Passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on December 30, 2015, at the age of 81 years. Beloved husband of Adele (nee Schreyer) for 55 years, loving father of Chris Pawley (Kris Young-Tenn) and Charysse Pawley (George Mason), and proud grandfather of Scott, Katrina, Mitchell, Aislinn, Meaghan, Matthew and Michael. Howard will be missed by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Peter and Diane Schreyer, Edward (2014) and Irene Schreyer, Cecelia and Wilbert Klapprat, Lawrence Schreyer, and Caroline and John (1983) Hull. Remembered by Lucas Smyk and Brittany Young-Tenn. Born in Brampton, Ontario, in 1934, Howard moved with his parents to Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 17. He started his first chapter of his working life practicing law in the Interlake of Manitoba in 1961. After several preparatory election campaigns, he was elected to the Manitoba Legislature as the New Democratic Party Member of the Legislature, representing the constituency of Selkirk from 1969 to 1988. Howard served as Minister in various departments under the government led by the Honourable Ed Schreyer from 1969 to 1977. His commitment to social democratic principles of economic and social justice and fairness for all was interwoven through the many legislative initiatives and political causes he championed both within and outside the Legislature. The Manitoba Public Insurance Act and the Marital Property Act are just two of the many changes made and introduced in the Legislature by Howard as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Attorney-General of Manitoba. Following a change in government in 1977, and later, the resignation of Ed Schreyer as leader of the Manitoba NDP, Howard was elected Leader of the Party in November 1979. Two years later, in 1981, after a successful election campaign, Howard became Premier of Manitoba. During his tenure as Premier, he initiated and oversaw many progressive and courageous improvements to a myriad of legislation and government programs - all designed to improve the quality of life of Manitobans by building a more just and equitable society. Most notable among his government's many accomplishments, were changes to human rights legislation, pay equity, worker and environmental protection, support for self-government and improved conditions for First Nation, Métis and Inuit throughout Manitoba and Canada, strengthening family law, protecting children through changes to the child welfare system, reaffirming the rights of minorities, support for the multi-cultural fabric of the province and Canada, and Legislative protection of French language rights. The Pawley government also was widely recognized for its economic initiatives such as the Manitoba Jobs Fund, support for small and medium sized businesses throughout the Province, and the utilization of Crown Corporations to provide services and bring economic returns to Manitoba. After the defeat of the NDP government in 1988, he briefly practiced law before turning to academia. The University of Windsor engaged him to teach in the departments of Political Science and the Faculty of Law. Prior to his retirement in 2000, he served as President of the Windsor Faculty Association. Throughout his entire life, Howard's passion for both teaching and learning from others was fueled by the enjoyment he received from meetings and discussions with others. In his later life, he especially treasured and was reinvigorated by teaching at the University. He used every teaching moment to share his extensive and insightful knowledge of the workings of Canadian politics through relating his experiences and urging young and old alike to get involved in building a better society he had worked for his entire life. His work will live on in all that he shared his life with in so many different ways. Howard's life will be remembered for all the things he accomplished and helped others to accomplish. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him as a friend, colleague, teacher, mentor, politician and his family with whom he shared his love and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Manitoba, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, #200-137 Innovation Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3T 6B6, or the University of Windsor, Howard Pawley Entrance Award, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, ON N9B 3P4. Visiting was held at Families First, 3260 Dougall Ave., South Windsor, ON 519-969-5841. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the University of Windsor, CAW Centre, 2nd floor, Ambassador Auditorium. Another celebration of his life will be held at the Manitoba Legislature, Room 200, Broadway, Winnipeg, MB on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. Please sign the Manitoba Government's condolence book at: http.//gov.mb.ca/condolence/index/html or Share memories, photos or make a donation at: www.FamiliesFirst.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 09, 2016