21 Facts About Errick Willis

Errick French Willis was a politician in Manitoba, Canada.

Errick Willis served as leader of the province's Conservative Party between 1936 and 1954, and was responsible for beginning and ending the party's alliance with the Liberal-Progressive Party.

Errick Willis served as Manitoba's 15th Lieutenant Governor between 1960 and 1965.

The younger Errick Willis received a BA from the University of Toronto, an MA from the University of Manitoba and an LL.

Errick Willis subsequently worked as a barrister and farmer, and was involved in local masonic organizations.

Errick Willis was a Conservative, but used the label "Progressive-Conservative" in Souris in the election of 1926, and was defeated by a straight Progressive candidate.

In 1932, outside politics, Errick Willis was a member of the Canadian curling team that won a gold medal in the curling event at the 1932 Winter Olympics.

Errick Willis was defeated in the 1935 election, losing by three votes to the Liberal candidate.

Errick Willis was elected for the riding of Deloraine in a provincial election held later in the year.

The election of 1936 was very close, with John Bracken's Liberal-Progressives winning 23 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and Errick Willis's Conservatives winning 16.

Errick Willis was sworn in as Minister of Public Works on November 4,1940.

When CCF leader Seymour Farmer resigned in 1942, Errick Willis became Minister of Labour, holding this position until 1944.

Errick Willis, supported by the Liberal-Progressives, was re-elected by acclamation in 1941,1945 and 1949.

The Conservatives had nominated Errick Willis to be premier, but Campbell defeated him in a vote among coalition MLAs.

Under pressure from his party and disturbed by the Campbell government's inaction on various issues, Errick Willis resigned from cabinet on August 19,1950.

Errick Willis, who fended off a leadership challenge from George Hastings at the convention, became leader of the opposition.

Errick Willis was re-elected for Turtle Mountain in the provincial election of 1953, but the provincial Progressive Conservative organization was weak, and Campbell's Liberal-Progressives won a decisive majority.

MLA J Arthur Ross forced a leadership convention in 1954; at this convention, Roblin defeated Willis to become party leader.

Errick Willis continued as a member of the legislature after this loss.

Errick Willis was re-elected in 1958, and served in Roblin's minority government as Minister of Public Works, Minister of Agriculture and Deputy Premier.

Errick Willis remained in this position until August 31,1965.