Reg Alcock - a tribute

Reg Alcock's defeat on Monday in the federal riding of Winnipeg South was a great loss.

The tragedy is that Reg worked very hard to help others in the recent election campaign, and in the process, he lost in his own constituency.

Reg Alcock has done a great deal for Manitobans and for Canada.

As the senior cabinet minister in Manitoba, Reg helped ensure funding for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, for Lake Winnipeg, for the Floodway, and for the national public health agency in Winnipeg.

Reg was also instrumental in an agreement to provide improved child care in Manitoba as part of a national child care program and he was there to provide support for improved infrastructure funding in Manitoba through sharing of federal gas tax revenues. He also ensured the Canadian Wheat Board was kept strong.

As Minister of the Treasury Board and with his understanding of management and technology issues, Reg Alcock was able to play a leading role in the transformation of the federal government to being more open and accountable.

And these are just the major projects. In countless ways and for many individuals, Reg Alcock went out of his way to help with immigration, emplyment insurance and many other issues.

Reg, we will miss you in your role as Member of Parliament in Winnipeg South. I am sure you will continue to make a contribution, and I hope, one day, you will be back in the political arena.