Eric Winkler | |
|---|---|
 Official 1966 portrait | |
| Ontario MPP | |
| In office 1967–1975 | |
| Preceded by | Farquhar Oliver |
| Succeeded by | Bob McKessock |
| Constituency | Grey South[note 1] |
| Member of Parliament forGrey—Bruce | |
| In office 1957–1967 | |
| Preceded by | Walter Harris |
| Succeeded by | Riding abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1920-02-13)February 13, 1920 |
| Died | March 18, 1995(1995-03-18) (aged 75) Hanover, Ontario |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Spouse | Frances Winkler |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Retail merchant |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Canadian |
| Branch/service | RCAF |
| Years of service | 1940-1946 |
| Rank | Flying officer |
| Unit | Bomber Command |
Eric Alfred Winkler (February 13, 1920 – March 18, 1995) was a politician inOntario, Canada. He was aProgressive Conservative member of theHouse of Commons of Canada from 1957 to 1967 who represented the riding ofGrey—Bruce. He was also a member of provincial parliament from 1967 to 1975 who represented the riding ofGrey South. He served as a cabinet minister in the government ofBill Davis.
Born inHanover, Ontario, he worked in a local furniture factory before joining theRCAF. He served as a flying officer duringWorld War II, flying missions over Europe when he was shot down in 1942. He survived but was held as aprisoner of war until his release in 1945.[1] When the war ended, he came home and openedWinkler Brothers Menswear. He and his wife Frances raised two sons and two daughters.[1]
In 1946, he was elected as an alderman for the city of Hanover and was elected mayor in 1948.[1]
He was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the riding ofGrey—Bruce in the1957 federal election. AProgressive Conservative, he was re-elected in1958,1962,1963, and1965. From 1963 to 1967, he was the Chief Opposition Whip.
In1967, he was elected to theLegislative Assembly of Ontario in the riding ofGrey South.[2] WhenBill Davis became Premier in March 1971 he named Winkler asMinister of Revenue to his new cabinet.[3]
He was re-elected during thefall election in 1971.[4] Early in 1972, he was namedMinister of Financial and Commercial Affairs.[5] In the fall of 1972 a minor cabinet shuffle saw Winkler moved toChair of Management Board where he stayed for the next three years.[6]
In thefall election in 1975 he was defeated for byLiberal candidateBob McKessock by 298 votes.[7]
| Davis ministry,Province of Ontario (1971-1985) | ||
| Cabinet posts (3) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| Charles MacNaughton | Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet 1972–1975 | James Auld |
| Gordon Carton | Minister of Financial and Commercial Affairs[note 2] 1972 (February–September) | John Clement |
| John White | Minister of Revenue 1971–1972 | Arthur Meen |
He served as a member of the Ontario Racing Commission in the 1980s.[8] He died at home after a long illness. He was 75.[1]
