Robert Banman

Robert Banman (born January 10, 1945 in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1977 to 1986, and served as a cabinet minister in the government of Sterling Lyon.

Banman was raised in the community of Steinbach, Manitoba. He did not attend university, and worked as an automobile dealer after graduating from high school. He also served on the Steinbach Town Council from 1970 to 1973.

He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the provincial election of 1973, defeating incumbent Liberal Leonard Barkman by about 550 votes in the rural riding of La Verendrye. He was easily re-elected in the 1977 election, which was won by the Tories under Lyon.

Banman was named Minister of Industry and Commerce and Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Cultural Affairs on October 24, 1977, also holding responsibility for the Manitoba Development Corporation Act. Following a cabinet shuffle on October 20, 1978, he was named Minister of Fitness, Recreation and Sport and Minister of Cooperative Development, with responsibility for the MDCA. On November 15, 1979, he was also named responsible for the Communities Economic Development Fund and the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation Act (which was retitled the Manitoba Lotteries and Gaming Control Act on January 16, 1981). As Industry Minister, he considered privatizing the government-owned company McKenzie Seeds.

The Tories were defeated in the provincial election of 1981, although Banman was easly re-elected in his own riding. He did not run again in 1986.

Banman's son, David, was elected to Steinbach City Council in 1998, and became the youngest sitting Steinbach City Councillor since his father. Banman was re-elected in 2002.

In 2003, the younger Banman announced intentions to run for the provincial PC nomination for Steinbach in the 2003 provincial election, but withdrew as Kelvin Goertzen won the nomination amid controversy with the quick nomination process.