- John Christianson
John Aaron Christianson (born
November 23 ,1923 in Langruth,Manitoba ) is a retired politician in Manitoba,Canada . He served in theLegislative Assembly of Ontario as a Progressive Conservative from 1959 to 1962 and was acabinet minister in the government ofDufferin Roblin .Christianson was educated at the
University of Manitoba , earning aBachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as an automobile and implement agent, and was the president of Christianson Ltd. and Koko Platz Development Ltd. From 1942 to 1945, he served as a pilot in theRoyal Canadian Air Force . Concurrent with his career in provincial politics, he was a cityalderman in Portage La Prairie in 1959-60.He was elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1959 provincial election, defeating incumbent Liberal-Progressive
Charles Greenlay by 473 votes in the Portage La Prairie constituency. He was appointed to Roblin's cabinet onOctober 25 ,1961 as Minister of Welfare.Christianson's time in office was brief, as he narrowly lost his seat to Liberal candidate
Gordon Johnston in the 1962 election. He formally resigned from cabinet onFebruary 27 ,1963 . He attempted a returned to the legislature in the 1966 election, but again lost to Johnston by an increased margin. Some believe Christianson lost his riding because of local opposition to the Portage Diversion flood relief project.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.