Long-time former Manitoba MLA Conrad Santos dead at 81

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This article was published 04/03/2016 (2993 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Conrado Santos, the first person born in the Philippines to be elected to political office in Canada, has died.

Santos died on Feb. 29. He was 81.

In a statement, Premier Greg Selinger offered his condolences to Santos’ family on behalf of Manitobans.

“It was with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Dr. Santos,” Selinger said on Saturday.

“Dr. Santos served his adopted province and his constituency with dedication and self-sacrifice. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

Coun. Mike Pagtakhan said both Santos and his uncle, former federal MP Rey Pagtakhan who was first elected in 1988, were trailblazers in the Filipino community.

“He was a good man and proud of his heritage,” Pagtakhan said on Saturday.

“His constituents appreciated him… he definitely enjoyed being a public servant. He liked to speak to people.

“Public service was in his blood and he lived out his dream.”

Jon Reyes, founder of the Manitoba Filipino Business Council and a current Tory MLA candidate in St. Norbert, said Santos “paved the way for the Filipino community to enter Canadian politics.

“I’m trying to become an MLA myself. It’s something we are proud of, I’m proud of Dr. Conrad Santos for being the first. It takes a lot of courage and will to go into politics.”

Santos graduated with a PhD in political science after attending Harvard University and the University of Michigan. He came to Winnipeg and taught at the University of Manitoba.

Santos first had a taste of political life when he ran unsuccessfully for the NDP nomination in Fort Garry in 1973, as well as city council in 1977 and 1980.

But Santos was successful when he ran for the NDP in Burrows in 1981. He was reelected in 1986, but he lost the Burrows nomination in 1988.

Santos made a comeback when he won the Broadway nomination in 1990 and not only did his constituents elect him that year, but also in 1995, as well as in 1999, and 2003 when his riding became part of the new Wellington riding.

Santos’ political career came to an end after leaving the NDP and running as an independent, finishing last in the 2007 election, after being accused of improperly selling party memberships. He later pleaded guilty in court, admitting he signed up as many as 100 supporters by paying their party memberships, and was fined $200 under the Elections Finances Act.

Santos was predeceased by his wife and he is survived by one daughter and two sons. His funeral is taking place at the Thomson ‘In the Park’ Funeral Home on March 6 at 2 p.m.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca