Born in Winnipeg in 1924, Roland Penner became involved (after his return from active service during World War II) with the communist Labour Progressive Party and, later, with the New Democratic Party of Manitoba. He practiced law for 15 years and, in 1972, was the first Chairperson of Manitobas new legal aid system. In this position, he helped lay the basis for a legal aid system that is still considered one of the best in Canada. In 1981, Penner was elected to the Manitoba Legislature and appointed Government House Leader, Chair of the Treasury Board, and Attorney General in the NDP government of Howard Pawley. Penner served mainly as Attorney General, Minister Responsible for Constitutional Affairs, bringing forward new Human Rights Legislation, and, for a brief period, as Minister of Education. He was Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba, where he still teaches Constitutional Law. Penner was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada, in 2000, being cited for his contribution to legal aid and human rights.
