Brian Ransom

Who is Brian Ransom?

Brian Ransom was a Manitoba politician. In 1983, he unsuccessfully ran for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba.

Ransom was born in Boissevain, Manitoba, and was educated at the University of Manitoba and the University of Alberta. He worked as a resource manager and farmer before entering public life.

He was elected to the Manitoba legislature in 1977, representing the rural riding of Souris-Killarney. In that year, Sterling Lyon's Progressive Conservatives won an upset victory over Edward Schreyer's New Democrats. Following the election, Ransom was appointed Minister of Mines, Resources and Environment. Following a reorganization of cabinet in 1979, he became Minister of Natural Resources and Chairman of the Treasury Board. In January 1981, he was promoted to Minister of Finance.

Ransom did not serve long in this position, as Lyon's government fell to the NDP under Howard Pawley later in the year. Ransom, who was easily re-elected in the riding of Turtle Mountain, defeating Johannson by 3,115 votes.