Maitland Steinkopf

Maitland B. (Bernard) Steinkopf (September 10, 1912 in Winnipeg, Manitoba – November 22, 1970 in Winnipeg, Manitoba) was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1962 to 1964, and again from 1964 to 1966. Steinkopf was a cabinet minister in the government of Dufferin Roblin, the first Jewish cabinet minister in Manitoba.

Born at Winnipeg on 10 September 1912, son of Max Steinkopf and Hedwig Meyer, he graduated in law from the University of Manitoba in 1936. As a student he had organized the athletic board of control and was vice-president of the students’ union. Steinkopf was called to the Manitoba Bar in December 1936. He succeeded his father as honorary consul for Czechoslovakia in 1937. He served in the Canadian Forces in World War II, as a Private in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and a Lieutenant Colonel with the R.C.O.C. He served as chairman of a special committee of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly on consumer credit in 1966. He was Chancellor of Brandon University from 1967 to 1970. He was chairman of the Manitoba Centennial Corporation from 1963 until his death of a heart attack on 22 November 1970.

He founded the Canada West Shoe Manufacturing Company, and was a president of several companies including Bonded Investments Ltd., L.H. Packard Co. Ltd., Dayton Shoe Mfg. Col. Ltd., and the Tel Aviv Hilton Hotel. Steinkopf was a member of the Canada Israel Development Corporation, and served as chairman of State of Israel bonds in Manitoba. He was also an honorary counsel with the government of Czechoslovakia until 1948. Prior to his election, he assisted the Roblin government in land-development for cultural projects.

Steinkopf was elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1962 provincial election, defeating Liberal Roy Matas by over 1,000 votes in the upscale Winnipeg riding of River Heights. He was appointed to cabinet on June 12, 1963 as Provincial Secretary and Minister of Public Utilities.

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