The Honourable James E. Downey

James Erwin Downey (born August 10, 1942) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1977 to 1999, and served as a cabinet minister in the Progressive Conservative governments of Sterling Lyon and Gary Filmon.

Mr.Downey was born in Melita, Manitoba. He served as an Air Cadet, and received an Agriculture Diploma from the University of Manitoba. Before entering political life, he worked as a farmer and auctioneer.

Mr. Downey was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the provincial election of 1977, in the southwestern rural riding of Arthur. Mr. Downey was appointed as Minister of Agriculture on October 24, 1977. He subsequently served as Minister of Northern Affairs with responsibility for Native Affairs, the Manitoba Natural Resources Development Act, A.E. McKenzie Co. Ltd., the Manitoba Oil and Gas Corporation Act and the Communities Economic Development Fund Act. On April 21, 1989 he was also named minister responsible for Seniors.

He was named Deputy Premier on September 27, 1990, then served as Minister of Rural Development, Minister of Northern and Native Affairs and Minister of Energy and Mines and later to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism with responsibility for the Communities Development Corporation Act.

He continued to serve as Deputy Premier and Industry Minister until 1999.