Thompson was re-elected in a redistributed Virden constituency, where he defeated the Liberal-Progressive incumbent Francis C. Bell. As the Tories assumed office on June 30, 1958, Thompson was a surprise choice by Roblin for Minister of Labour. Having had no experience in labour relations, Thompson had been tipped as a possible choice for Attorney-General, which instead went to Sterling Lyon. However, Roblin saw in Thompson a "born conciliator" who "never failed to deliver a cogent and effective argument". As Minister of Labour, Thompson declared his major task as the "welfare of the worker". He was also named Minister of Municipal Affairs. At the end of March 1959, following heated debates regarding the upcoming fiscal budget, the government lost the confidence of the legislature and fresh elections were called for June. Easily re-elected in the May 1959 election with 68% of the Virden vote, Thompson continued to hold his Labour and Municipal Affairs portfolios. As the end of 1959 approached, Roblin and the Deputy Premier and former party leader Errick Willis were discussing the timing of Willis' departure and next post. Willis resigned his office on December 21, 1959, and Roblin then appointed Thompson to move from Labour and pick up the Public Works portfolio. Three weeks later, Willis was appointed as Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. Thompson stayed as Minister of Public Works for the remainder of his time in office. Later life As an election drew near in fall 1962, and after nine years in the Legislature, Thompson decided not to seek re-election. He resigned his portfolio and his seat on October 24, 1962, and was appointed a County Court Judge. The Progressive Conservatives went on to a second majority victory that December under Roblin. Judge Thompson then served the southern and eastern Manitoba judicial districts for more than twenty years, retiring from the bench in 1983. He died of cancer on December 15, 1986, in Winnipeg. References Cited General 1908 births 1986 deaths Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba MLAs Lawyers in Manitoba Mayors of places in Manitoba University of Manitoba alumni Brandon University alumni Members of the Executive Council of Manitoba 20th-century Canadian lawyers Robson Hall alumni