Harold Neufeld
Canadian politician (1927–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harold John Neufeld (October 10, 1927 – July 12, 2025)[1] was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1988 to 1993,[2][3] and a cabinet minister in the government of Gary Filmon from 1988 to 1992.[2]
October 10, 1927
Harold Neufeld | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Rossmere | |
| In office April 26, 1988 – May 12, 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Vic Schroeder |
| Succeeded by | Harry Schellenberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Harold John Neufeld October 10, 1927 Altona, Manitoba, Canada |
| Died | July 12, 2025 (aged 97) |
| Party | Progressive Conservative |
| Profession | Accountant |
Career
Neufeld began a public practice as a chartered accountant in 1954, and was a member of the Chartered Accountants of Manitoba.
He first ran for the Manitoba legislature in the 1986 provincial election as a Progressive Conservative, losing to incumbent New Democrat Vic Schroeder by 527 votes in the north-end Winnipeg riding of Rossmere. In the 1988 election, with NDP support falling throughout the province, he was able to defeat Schroeder by 526 votes in a rematch.[4]
Neufeld was appointed Minister of Energy and Mines with responsibility for the Manitoba Hydro Act[5] and Seniors on May 9, 1988. He was relieved of the latter responsibility on April 21, 1989.[2] He was re-elected by an increased margin in the 1990 provincial election.[4]
Neufeld stepped down from his cabinet position on January 14, 1992, and resigned from the legislature on May 12, 1993.[2] There are suggestions that Neufeld resigned as a matter of principle, disturbed by the dubious methods used by the Filmon government to conceal its deficit spending.[6]
A lifelong Mennonite,[3] Neufeld joined the executive of Menno Simons College and became chair of the Menno Simons College Foundation after his retirement from the legislature.