Home > Jim Walding

Walding was born in Rushden in Northamptonshire, England, and was educated at Wellingborough Grammar School. He worked as a dispensing optician before entering politics.

In the Manitoba provincial election of 1969 Walding was a candidate for the NDP in the south-central Winnipeg riding of St. Vital , losing to Progressive ConservativeThe Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is a right-of-centre political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is currently the official opposition party in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The origins of the party lie at the end of the nineteenth centu Jack Hardy by 23 votes in a close three-way race. Hardy resigned in February 1971, and Walding won a by-election on April 5April 5 is the 95th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (96th in leap years). There are 270 days remaining. Events 1242 During a battle on the ice of Chudskoye Lake, Russian forces rebuff an invasion attempt by the Teutonic Knights. 1614 In Virginia, defeating LiberalThe Manitoba Liberal Party is a political party in Manitoba, Canada. Its roots can be traced to the late 19th-century, in the period following the province's creation in 1870. Originally, there were no official political parties in Manitoba, although many Daniel Kennedy by about 300 votes.

Walding's victory helped consolidate the narrow legislative majority of NDP Premier Edward SchreyerEdward Richard Schreyer (born December 21, 1935, Beausejour, Manitoba) is a former Governor General of Canada ( 1979- 1984) and Premier of Manitoba ( 1969- 1977). Edward Schreyer studied at United College, St. John's College and the University of Manitoba. He faced another serious challenge from Daniel Kennedy in the 1973 electionThe Manitoba General Election of June 28, 1973 was won by the social-democratic New Democratic Party, which took 31 of 57 seats. The Progressive Conservative Party finished second with 21, while the Manitoba Liberal Party took the remaining five. A right-, but was victorious by 105 votes.

The New Democrats were defeated in the 1977 provincial electionThe Manitoba general election of October 11, 1977 was won by the Progressive Conservative Party, which took 33 seats out of 57. The governing New Democrats fell to 23 seats, while the Liberals won only one seat. See also: List of Manitoba general election, although Walding himself was re-elected with an increased plurality. After Schreyer's appointment as Governor-General of Canada in 1979Events January-February January 1 Sino-American relations: United States and the People's Republic of China establish diplomatic relations January 4 State of Ohio agrees to pay $675,000 to families of dead and injured in Kent State University shootings., he supported Sidney Green's unsuccessful bid to become interim NDP leader. He later supported Howard Pawley's successful bid to replace Schreyer, although his future relations with Pawley were often strained.

The NDP returned to government following the election of 1981. Walding was not appointed to cabinet, as some expected, but became Speaker of the legislature on February 25, 1982.

In 1983 and 1984, Walding allowed the opposition Progressive Conservatives to stall the passage of the Pawley government's legal entrenchment of french-language rights, when the Conservatives refused to enter the legislative chamber to allow a vote on the government legislation. On February 21, 1984, Walding refused a direct request from Pawley to conduct two legislative votes on the issue. These actions made him unpopular with many in the NDP caucus, and with some members of his riding executive.

Walding was challenged for the St. Vital NDP nomination in 1986, but won by a single vote. He was re-elected again in the general election which followed, albeit with a reduced majority, and was not re-appointed as Speaker. As a backbencher, Walding spoke out against the Pawley government on a variety of issues; he was particularly opposed to affirmative action legislation, which he regarded as discriminatory.

On March 8, 1988, Walding voted against his government's budget, despite having previously assured Finance Minister Eugene Kostyra that he would support it. Walding's defection caused the NDP to be defeated in the legislature, and they also lost the election which followed (Walding was not a candidate).

Walding claimed that he was no longer willing to provide support to a ministry in which he had lost so much confidence. There have been suggestions that the opposition Progressive Conservatives promised him a financial incentive for his actions, although this has never been proven.

Walding has not been politically active since 1988. After leaving the legislature, he moved to British Columbia.