Linda Asper

Linda Asper
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Riel
In office September 21, 1999 – April 24, 2003
Preceded by	David Neuman
Succeeded by	Christine Melnick
Personal details
Born	(1943-12-01) December 1, 1943

Linda Asper (born 1 December 1943) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. She joined the Liberal Party and then later returned to the New Democratic Party during the 1990s. She was a member of the Manitoba legislature from 1999 to 2003.

Early life

Asper holds a Ph.D. in education, and had an extensive career as an educator before entering political life. She was a Winnipeg school trustee for the Seine River division, and served as president of the Manitoba Teachers' Society and vice-president of the Canadian Teachers' Federation for a period of time. Asper was also a member of the Faculty Council of the University of Manitoba, and served on the board of governors at St. Boniface College. In addition to her career in education, she was a member of the Manitoba Action Committee on the Status of Women.

Political career

In the 1990 provincial election, Asper ran as a Liberal in the south Winnipeg riding of Niakwa. She was defeated by Progressive Conservative candidate Jack Reimer by 4,950 votes to 4,301.

By 1999, Asper had crossed over to the New Democratic Party. In that year's provincial election, she was elected as a New Democratic for the Winnipeg riding of Riel, defeating Progressive Conservative incumbent David Newman 4,833 votes to 4,559.

Post-political career

In April 2003, Asper announced that she was leaving politics to take a position with Education International an advocacy group based in Brussels, Belgium. She now promotes the rights of both children and educators on an international level, and has been a vocal opponent of child labour practices.

Personal life

Linda Asper was the sister-in-law of the late Israel Asper.

Electoral record

1999 Manitoba general election: Riel
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	New Democratic	Linda Asper	4,883	46.68		$20,612.00
	Progressive Conservative	David Newman	4,559	44.03		$27,412.91
	Liberal	Clayton Weselowski	820	7.92	–	$3,179.52
	Manitoba	Mike Kubara	91	0.88		$3,179.52
Total valid votes			10,303	99.35
Rejected and declined votes			51	0.65
Turnout			10,354	76.08
Registered voters			13,610
Source: Elections Manitoba