Walter Weir

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Walter C. Weir (June 7, 1929 – April 17, 1985) was a Canadian politician who served as the 15th premier of Manitoba from November 27, 1967, to July 15, 1969. He was a member of the Progressive Conservative Party.

Weir was born in High Bluff, Manitoba. He worked as an undertaker and later owned a funeral home in Minnedosa. In 1951, he married Harriet Thompson. He got involved in local service, serving as chairman of the Minnedosa Hospital Board (1955–1957) and of the Minnedosa Town Council (1958–1959). He was elected to the Manitoba legislature in 1959, representing Minnedosa.

In government, Weir held several ministerial jobs: Municipal Affairs (1961–1963), Public Works (1962–1967), and Highways (July–November 1967). He was re-elected in 1962 and 1966. When Premier Dufferin Roblin left politics in 1967, Weir became the Progressive Conservative leader and was sworn in as premier on November 27, 1967.

Weir led a more conservative, rural-based wing of the party. His government kept spending in check and produced a balanced budget in 1968 without raising taxes. He was skeptical of Medicare and did not sign on to the national program until 1969. He opposed official bilingualism and became well known for his clashes with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau over this issue. He also proposed reforms to the Senate, including equal provincial representation and more powers for the federal chamber.

In early 1969, Weir called four by-elections to test his bilingualism policy. The results were favorable to his party in three contests. He then called a general election for June 25, 1969. The campaign brought a strong challenge from the New Democratic Party, led by Edward Schreyer, who appealed to centrist voters. The NDP won 28 seats to the Tories’ 22, and Schreyer became premier. Weir briefly considered forming a Liberal-led coalition, but Liberal support shifted to Schreyer, and Weir stepped down as PC leader in February 1971 and left the legislature in September 1971.

Weir died in Minnedosa, Manitoba, in 1985 at age 55. He is remembered for his role as a determined leader who steered Manitoba through a time of change.