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David Newman, Q.C.

David G. Newman, Q.C.

Counsel

Senior counsel to the Firm and former managing partner and Chair of a predecessor firm, David serves as an advocate, negotiator, and dispute resolver.

Contact

[email protected] 204-956-3521

Natasha Purchase (Assistant)

[email protected] 204-956-0560 ext. 200

Senior counsel to the firm and former managing partner and Chair of a predecessor firm. David serves as an advocate, negotiator and dispute resolver. David serves as a facilitator of restorative justice processes and as an educator in the field of peace, conflict resolution, and human rights.

David has experience representing clients at all court levels including the Supreme Court of Canada as well as before numerous labour and other administrative tribunals. David Served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) (1995-1999) and as a Minister in the Manitoba Government (1997-1999) of Northern and Native Affairs, Energy and Mines, Community Economic Development Fund, and Manitoba Hydro. David has a passion for the integration of peace, justice, and human rights practices within and amongst organizations.

Education

  • Admitted to the Manitoba Bar, 1969
  • LL.B., Dalhousie Law School 1968

Practice Areas

  • Rotary’s Pathway to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, Pathways to Reconciliation Conference (June 2016)
  • Series on Peace in 2016, Community News Commons, (2016 and 2017)
  • Workplace Harassment Liability for Employers, Pitblado Blog (February 2012)
  • A Double Standard: Indians Are Not Protected Against Political Discrimination, Manitoba Law Journal Fall (2007)
  • Punitive Damages: A Way to Justice for Victims of Institutional Abuse of Power, Annual Review of Civil Litigation 2005 (Carswell)
  • Insights on Aboriginal Self Government From a Manitoba Perspective – a Holistic Introduction to Some Continuing Journeys Toward Strong Sustainable Aboriginal Urban and Remote Communities (April 2001)
  • Brain Gain: Aboriginal Value Added and Immigrant Value Added (March 2001)
  • A Lesson for all Non-Aboriginal Canadians – Restorative Justice? (July 2000)
  • Crossing the river between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals together (April 2000)
  • Manitoba Civil Justice Review Task Force Report (September 1996)
  • Numerous articles and speeches and lectures on labour relations and employment law topics (1978-1985)

 

  • Senior counsel to Pitblado LLP, a successor firm to Pitblado & Hoskin and Pitblado Buchwald Asper (1999-)
  • Commissioner on the Nunavut Planning Commission (November 2006-October/November 2009)
  • Chair of a National Joint Board of Investigation (2003-2004)
  • Parliamentarian at numerous general meetings (2001-)
  • Sessional lecturer University of Winnipeg (2000-2001), Aboriginal People and the Law
  • Honourary Legal Counsel Rotary International District 5550 (2004-2019)
  • Member of organizing committee of National Restorative Justice Conference (2000-2002)
  • Queen’s Counsel Manitoba (1998)
  • Chair of Review of Civil Justice System of Manitoba (1995-1996) and report September 1996
  • Legislative Assistant to Minister of Justice of Manitoba (1995-1996)
  • Helped lead Pitblado & Hoskin into an international network of independent law firms now called Meritas (1994-)
  • Chair of Pitblado & Hoskin (1988-1995)
  • Managing Partner of Pitblado & Hoskin (1987-1988)
  • Merged Newman & Company with Pitblado & Hoskin (1985) and senior partner (1985-1995)
  • Founder Newman & Company (November, 1978) and led firm (1978-1985)
  • Past representative for all Manitoba employers (management at large) on Labour Management Review Committee (1982-1987)
  • Served as Board member on Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties for one term in 1970s
  • Chair and presenter of papers at various educational labour relations, environmental and employment and other legal programs for Manitoba Bar Association, Canadian Bar Association and Chambers of Commerce (1970-)
  • Articled with Newman, MacLean & Associates (1968-1969), became partner in 1973, practised there (1968-November,1978)
  • Manitoba Bar Association member (1970-) and past Chair of Labour Relations Subsection (1971-1973) and (1985-1986)
  • Participant in “Thursday Night Club” delivering Pro Bono legal services in 1970 in Winnipeg for Law Society of Manitoba
  • Canadian Bar Association member (1969-)
  • Law Society of Manitoba member (1969-)
  • Vice-President & Executive Director of the organizing Committee of the National Centennial Conference of Canadian Law Students hosted by Dalhousie Law School in Oct 1967 and contributing editor to the publication of conference proceedings: “Confederation : A Look Ahead”
  • St. John’s College, University of Manitoba (1961-1964)
  • Graduated from Vincent Massey Collegiate, Winnipeg 1961 and served as treasurer of student council (1960-1961)

 

  • Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) Local Community Champion Special Award Recipient, 2018
  • Senate of Canada Sesquicentennial Medal for Recognition of Valuable Service to Canada, 2017
  • “The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal” in recognition of significant contribution to Manitoba – 2012
  • The 2008 Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service from Dalhousie Law School Alumni Association
  • Harry Mardon Award for outstanding service by a director to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (2007)
  • Appointed Queen’s Counsel (1998)
  • Eagle Feather & Star Blankets & Metis Sash for service to aboriginal peoples (1997-1999)
  • Canada 125 Commemorative Medal (1992) in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community, and Canada

 

  • International Board member Rotarian Action Group for Peace (July 1, 2016-2019)
  • Board member National Board of Honouring Indigenous People (July 1, 2016-)
  • Co-founder and Co-chair Peace Days (2010-)
  • Co-founder Rotary International District 5550 World Peace Partners Committee (2015) and member and Vice-Chair (2005-2009), Co-chair (2009-2018 and Chair (2018-)
  • Facilitator Residential Schools Response Group for Diocese of Ruperts’ Land in partnership with Indigenous Council of the Diocese and co-chair of “Responding in Love Campaign” of Anglican Diocese of Ruperts’ Land (2004-2006)
  • Past Trustee Manitoba Marathon Foundation Inc. (2000-2003)
  • Past Chair Manitoba Cardiac Institute (Reh-Fit) Centre Inc. (1984-1987) first Chair of Manitoba Cardiac Institute (Reh-Fit) Foundation Inc. (2000) and Past Chair and member of Foundation Board and Chair of Capital Fund Raising (2003-2006)
  • Past Chair – Healthy Living Awards Annual recognition and fundraising events (2001-2003)
  • Founding member Bishop Grandin Greenways Inc. (2001)
  • Citizen Advisory Board Member Salvation Army (2000-2009) and Life Member from May 28, 2009
  • Member of church choir of St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church (2000-2016) and Parrish (1997-)
  • Member of Manitoba Legislative Assembly for Riel (1995-1999) and Cabinet Minister for Energy and Mines, Northern Affairs and Deputy House Leader, and Minister responsible for Native Affairs, Manitoba Hydro and Community Development Fund (1997-1999)
  • Past President of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg (1994-1995) and a member (1983-)
  • Board member of Canadian Chamber of Commerce (1988-1990)
  • Past Chair (then called President) of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (1989-1990)
  • Member of the Law Reform Commission of Manitoba (1979-1982)
  • Member of Anglican Diocese of Ruperts’ Land Finance and Administration Committee (1980s) and chair of task force about Anglican Island
  • Chair of St. Paul’s Anglican Church parish council, fundraising chair and vestry member at various times (1975-1984)
  • Active Member of Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce (1970-1986) and past chair of labour relations committee
  • Hockey Coach and Board member for Southdale Community Club from time to time 1970s and 1980s
  • Actively involved in Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party (1969-) and co-chaired one annual meeting (1971) and one leadership convention (1972) and Life Member since 2009
  • Actively involved in Progressive Conservative Party of Canada/Conservative Party (1969-)
  • Member of Zeta Psi Fraternity (1962-)