Len Derkach

Len Derkach (born January 21, 1945) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a cabinet minister in the government of Gary Filmon, and is currently a member of the Manitoba legislature.

Derkach was born in Rossburn, Manitoba, and was educated at Brandon University. He worked as a teacher and farmer before entering provincial politics. He was also a school board trustee on the Pelly Trail School Board from 1979 to 1985, serving as chair from 1982 to 1985.

In 1986, Derkach was elected to the provincial legislature as a Progressive Conservative in Roblin-Russell, a rural riding in the province's southwest. Derkach defeated his New Democratic opponent, Fred Embryk, by 3241 votes to 3203. The NDP won the election, and Derkach became an opposition MLA.

The Progressive Conservatives won the provincial election of 1988, and Derkach was re-elected in Roblin-Russell by an increased margin (with the Liberals overtaking the NDP for second place). When Gary Filmon was sworn in as Premier on May 9, 1988, Derkach was named Minister of Education (which was renamed Minister of Education and Training on April 21, 1989). In this capacity, he increased funding for the province's private schools.

Derkach was easily re-elected in the provincial election of 1990. After a cabinet shuffle on January 14, 1992, he was named Minister of Rural Development. He was again re-elected in the provincial election of 1995, once more defeating Fred Embryk.

The Progressive Conservatives were defeated by the New Democrats in the provincial election of 1999. Derkach was re-elected in the renamed riding of Russell by a reduced margin, defeating New Democrat Vince Lelond by 4397 votes to 3802. He resigned from cabinet with the rest of the Filmon ministry after the election.

Derkach served as opposition critic on matters relating to education and Manitoba's growing casino economy, and was re-elected by an increased margin in the general election of 2003, despite the poor province-wide showing of the Progressive Conservative Party.

In addition to serving as a cabinet minister, Derkach also served as Director of the Canada Ukraine Legislative Education Project while in government.