Denis Rocan

Denis Rocan (born February 14, 1949) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served as Speaker of the Manitoba legislature during the administration of Gary Filmon, and remains a member of the legislature today. He is the only member of his caucus who is Metis.

Rocan was born in Somerset, Manitoba. Before entering political life, he worked as a farmer, miner and truck driver. He also ran a building and moving company and a grain fertilizer business.

Rocan was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1986 provincial election, winning as a Progressive Conservative in the rural riding of Turtle Mountain. Rural seats in southern Manitoba are usually considered "safe" for the Progressive Conservative party, and Rocan was elected by more than 2000 votes over his nearest opponent.

The Manitoba Liberal Party increased its support base in urban and rural ridings in the 1988 provincial election; Rocan was re-elected over Liberal candidate Ross McMillan, but his majority was cut to about 600 votes. On July 21, 1988, he was chosen as Speaker of the legislature.

Provincial Liberal support waned after 1988, and Rocan was easily re-elected in the redistributed riding of Gladstone in the provincial elections of 1990 and 1995. He stood down as Speaker on May 22, 1995, and became a backbench supporter of the Filmon government. Rocan was respected by all parties in the legislature, and his tenure as Spekaer was free of the controversies over partisanship which plagued his successor, Louise Dacquay.

Further redistribution brought Rocan into the riding of Carman for the 1999 provincial election. He was easily re-elected, and attained the same result in the 2003 election.

Rocan supported the campaigns of his friend Reg Alcock in the 2000 and 2004 federal elections, despite the fact that Alcock is a Liberal.

Recently, Rocan has called for greater private-sector involvement in medical delivery.