Article

Donald Frank Mazankowski

Published Online February 13, 2008

Last Edited December 15, 2013

Donald Frank Mazankowski, politician (b at Viking, Alta 27 July 1935). After a period as president and general manager of an automobile and farm machinery dealership, Mazankowski was elected to the House of Commons as Conservative MP for Vegreville, Alta, in 1968.

Mazankowski, Donald Frank

Donald Frank Mazankowski, politician (b at Viking, Alta 27 July 1935). After a period as president and general manager of an automobile and farm machinery dealership, Mazankowski was elected to the House of Commons as Conservative MP for Vegreville, Alta, in 1968. Bright and popular, he chaired the PC caucus 1973-76 and served as minister of transport and minister responsible for the CANADIAN WHEAT BOARD in the CLARK government, 1979-80. He won the respect of the media, opposition politicians and his officials, and registered a series of solid achievements, notably in the area of rail transportation.

He was again a popular and successful minister of transport 1984-86 before becoming PM MULRONEY'S deputy prime minister and government house leader in the House of Commons in 1986. In Aug 1987 Mazankowski was given additional responsibility as president of the Treasury Board. In 1988 he became minister of agriculture and was minister of finance from 1991-93, where he continued the policies of his predecessor, Michael WILSON.

He retired on June 7, 1993 to join numerous corporate boards including Gulf Canada Resources Ltd and Great West Life Assurance Co as well as to become a member of the board of governors at the University of Alberta. On June 18, 1994, he was given the honour of receiving the title "Right Honourable" which is generally reserved for prime ministers, governors general and supreme court justices.