Frank Pitura

Who is Frank Pitura?

Franklin Paul "Frank" Pitura is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Manitoba legislature from 1995 to 2003, representing the rural riding of Morris for the Progressive Conservative Party. Between 1997 and 1999, he served as a Cabinet Minister in the government of Premier Gary Filmon.

The son of Frank Pitura and Doris Palahniuk, he was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was educated at Sanford Collegiate and the University of Manitoba. He was a government employee from 1967 to 1977, and again from 1987 to 1995. Pitura also worked as a farmer from 1977 to 1991, and was a delegate of the Manitoba Pool Elevators organization at one stage. In 1967, he married Evelyn Diehl.

The riding of Morris is generally considered safe for the Progressive Conservatives, and Pitura was elected without difficulty in the provincial election of 1995, defeating his nearest opponent by over 3000 votes. Shortly after his election, Pitura announced his opposition to the Canadian Wheat Board's monopoly status, and his support for dual marketing.