Jim Carr

Who is Jim Carr?

James Gordon Carr is a businessman and former politician in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the province's legislative assembly from 1988 to 1991, representing the Liberal Party.

Carr was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was educated at the University of Manitoba and McGill University. He worked as a journalist, musician and administrator, serving as both an oboist and trustee with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra on different occasions. Before entering public life, he was also executive director of the Manitoba Arts Council.

On June 3, 1969, Carr and four other Young Liberals joined the New Democratic Party of Manitoba so as to support Sidney Green's unsuccessful bid to lead the party. He later returned to the Liberals. During the early 1980s, he worked as a reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press.

Carr first ran for the Manitoba legislature in the provincial election of 1986, losing to Progressive Conservative leader Gary Filmon in the upscale west Winnipeg riding of Tuxedo. He ran again in the provincial election of 1988 during a period of increased support for the provincial Liberals, and scored a surprisingly strong victory in the riding of Fort Rouge, defeating NDP cabinet minister Roland Penner by over 2000 votes. The Progressive Conservatives formed a minority government after this election, and Carr became Deputy Leader of the official opposition party.