Leanne Rowat

Leanne Rowat is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. In 2003, she was elected to the Manitoba legislature as a Progressive Conservative.^[1][2]

Prior to entering public life herself, Rowat was a constituency assistant to Progressive Conservative MLA Harold Gilleshammer, and worked as a community development officer in the Souris region. She also served on the board of directors of the South West Regional Health Authority,^[1] and was a Public Relations Chair for the Manitoba Winter Games 2006 Bid Committee.

When Gilleshammer retired as MLA for Minnedosa in 2003, Rowat won the Progressive Conservative nomination to replace him.^[1][3] The riding is mostly rural, and is located in the province's southwestern corner. In the 2003 election, the governing New Democratic Party made the riding its top rural target.^{[citation needed]} Rowat defeated NDP candidate Harvey Paterson, but by a margin of only twelve votes (as confirmed on recount).^[3] She has served as opposition critics in several areas: Culture, Heritage & Tourism; Aboriginal & Northern Affairs; Multiculturalism; and Communities Economic Development Fund.^[2] She is also a supporter of grandparents' rights.^[4]

Rowat was re-elected in the 2007 provincial election.^[3] Prior to the 2011 provincial election, the Minnedosa riding was redistributed and dissolved. Rowat ran for election in the new riding of Riding Mountain and won the seat in 2011.