Cliff Graydon

Cliff Graydon is a farmer and former politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 2007 to 2019, representing the electoral division of Emerson.

Cliff Graydon
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Emerson
In office May 22, 2007 – August 12, 2019
Preceded by	Jack Penner
Succeeded by	District abolished
Personal details
Born	1946 or 1947 (age 76–77)^[1] Arnaud, Manitoba, Canada
Political party	Independent (2018–2019) Progressive Conservative (2007–2018)
Occupation	Farmer

Graydon was born in Arnaud, Manitoba and has farmed for 30 years, growing grain and raising cattle. Before entering politics, Graydon was a founding member of the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association and served on its board of directors. He has also served as a member of the Stuartburn Piney Agricultural Development Association and the Prairies East Sustainable Agricultural Initiative.^[2]

Political career

After being elected in 2007, Graydon held various critic portfolios during his time in caucus, including: Manitoba Public Insurance; Liquor Control; Lotteries; Gaming; Agriculture; Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade; and Healthy Living and Seniors.^[3] Following his party's move from opposition to government after the 2016 provincial election, Graydon was Progressive Conservative caucus whip from 2016 to 2017.^[4]

Graydon underwent sensitivity training in early 2018 after posting on Twitter that asylum seekers in Canada are a "drain on society."^[5] He had previously retweeted a post about Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau which asked "How can any woman vote for that SICK/RETARDED/TRAITOR?"^[6]

On October 22, 2018, Graydon was expelled from caucus following allegations of sexual harassment by two legislative staffers.^[7] Before his expulsion, Graydon had indicated he would take a medical leave of absence from the legislature, not seek reelection in the next provincial election, and undergo further sensitivity training.^[8]

Graydon held a news conference on November 8, 2018 in which he denied all allegations, stating: "I admit I’m guilty of having a bad sense of humour and sincerely apologize to those who have been offended by my inconsiderate jokes. I have grown up in a different era and realize some people today are much more sensitive to inappropriate humour."^[9] Graydon was subsequently accused of having groped and propositioned a party staffer for sex in September, 2017.^[10]

In July 2019, Graydon declared he would contest the upcoming provincial election as an independent in the new constituency of Borderland.^[11] The riding was created by the 2018 provincial redistribution out of parts of Emerson and Morden-Winkler. He finished in third place behind PC candidate Josh Guenter.

Electoral results

2019 Manitoba general election: Borderland (electoral district)
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Progressive Conservative	Josh Guenter	4,886	66.09
	Liberal	Loren Braul	1,226	16.58
	Independent	Cliff Graydon	740	10.01
	New Democratic	Liz Cronk	291	3.94
	Green	Ken Henry	250	3.38
Total valid votes			7,393	100.0
Rejected & declined ballots			28
Turnout			7,421
Eligible voters			11,996
Source: Elections Manitoba^[12]

v t e 2016 Manitoba general election: Emerson
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Cliff Graydon	4,943	72.71	+0.73
	Liberal	Loren Braul	1,423	20.93	+13.43
	New Democratic	Alanna Jones	432	6.35	-13.25
Total valid votes			6,798	100.0
Eligible voters			–
Source: Elections Manitoba^[13]^[14]

v t e 2011 Manitoba general election: Emerson
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Progressive Conservative	Cliff Graydon	3,982	71.98	+12.42	$19,821.87
	New Democratic	Lorie Fiddler	1,084	19.60	−2.33	$0.00
	Liberal	Michelene Belliveau	415	7.50	−10.80	$0.00
Total valid votes			5,481
Rejected and declined ballots			51
Turnout			5,532	44.42
Electors on the lists			12,453
Source: Elections Manitoba^[15]

v t e 2007 Manitoba general election: Emerson
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Progressive Conservative	Cliff Graydon	3,635	59.56	+0.74	$22,391.66
	New Democratic	Chris Murash	1,296	21.93	+2.87	$939.37
	Liberal	Monica Guetre	1,117	18.30	−2.82	$6,183.77
Total valid votes			6,049	99.08
Rejected and declined ballots			56
Turnout			6,105	49.51
Electors on the lists			12,330
Source: Elections Manitoba^[16]

^[17]

References

1. "Provincial Election - Winnipeg Free Press".
2. . Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
3. . cliffgraydon.ca. Archived from the original on 12 February 2016.
4. "Manitoba Progressive Conservatives name caucus chair, whip".
5. "Sensitivity training 'a nice first symbolic gesture,' but attitudes need to change, not just language: trainer".
6. "Manitoba MLA to take sensitivity training after offensive 'turdeau' tweets".
7. "Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon expelled from PC caucus following harassment allegations".
8. "MLA accused of harassment taking medical leave, not seeking re-election".
9. "Inappropriate comments stem from outdated sense of humour, Manitoba politician says". The Globe and Mail.
10. "'He's got a hold of me:' Woman says she was groped by Cliff Graydon".
11. "'Graydon Enters Borderland Election Race".
12. "2019 Voting Areas and Station-by-Station Results" (PDF). Elections Manitoba. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
13. "Candidates: 41st General Election". Elections Manitoba. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
14. "41ST GENERAL ELECTION, APRIL 19, 2016 - OFFICIAL RESULTS". Elections Manitoba. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
15. "Election Returns: 40th General Election". Elections Manitoba. 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
16. . Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2010. - 2007 results
17. . Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2010. - 2007 results