appointed Préfontaine to the high-level cabinet positions of Provincial Secretary, Provincial Lands Commissioner and Railway Commissioner. Préfontaine also became Minister of Agriculture in 1925. In the 1927 election, he defeated his old nemesis Thomas Molloy by a landslide. Préfontaine stood down as Provincial Secretary, Provincial Lands Commissioner and Minister of Agriculture in 1928, though he retained the Railway Commissioner's position until 1932. He was re-elected in that year's general election, and continued to serve the Franco-Manitoban community as a Minister without Portfolio until his death in 1935. Préfontaine's career reveals the continued importance of the francophone community to Manitoba politics, even after immigration from Ontario and Eastern Europe had significantly reduced their relative strength. His decision to join the UFM was indicative of a larger cultural change, as Franco-Manitobans became an important part of the Progressive Party of Manitoba during its long period in government. His son Edmond also served in the Manitoba assembly. The resort community of Albert Beach, Manitoba (French: "Plage Albert") was named after him. References 1861 births 1935 deaths Leaders of the Manitoba Conservative Party Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba MLAs Progressive Party of Manitoba MLAs Franco-Manitoban people Members of the Executive Council of Manitoba People from Eastman Region, Manitoba