Glen Findlay was born and raised on the family farm at Shoal Lake, Manitoba, where he also received his early education. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and the Governor’s Gold Medal. In 1964 he received his Master of Science in Animal Nutrition. He then proceeded to the University of Illinois where he received his PhD in Nutritional Science in 1968. From 1968- 1970, he took a Post Doctorate Fellowship at the National Research Council of Canada in Ottawa.
In 1957 Glen married Katherine Kennedy. The Findlays have four children, Carole, Keith, Gary and Jill, all of whom have degrees from the University of Manitoba. They have nine grandchildren. Along with their son Gary and grandson Carey, Glen and Katherine continue to be involved in the operation of a 5,000 acre and 300 head beef cattle farm.
From 1970 to 1977, while still actively involved in the farm, Glen taught Pesticide Toxicology at the University of Manitoba. From 1977 to 1986 Glen was full time farming with his son, Gary. From 1986 to 1990 Glen was elected as a Conservative Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Virden Constituency. From 1990 to 1999 he served as the MLA for Springfield Constituency. During his time in the Legislature, Glen served as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Highways and Transportation and Minister Responsible for Telecommunications and MTS.
As Minister of Agriculture, Glen oversaw the modernization of the Animal Feed Testing Laboratory, the Veterinary Drug Agency and the Soils Laboratory. He worked towards the formation of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) and the implementation of the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association (MCPA) voluntary check-off. He was also involved in the modernizing of Manitoba Crop Insurance and the introduction of the Gross Revenue Insurance Plan (GRIP) and the Net Income Stabilization Account (NISA). He participated in several foreign trade missions. As Minister of Telecommunications he privatized Manitoba Telephone System.
Glen has served on a number of boards and committees of provincial, regional and national organizations: Labatt Advisory Forum, Canadian Transportation Act Review Panel, Canadian Wheat Board, Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, Bayer CropScience Grower Advisory Forum, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, Flax Growers of Western Canada, KAP, MCPA/ Manitoba Beef Producers and Western Barley Growers Association.
Glen was also involved in his local community. In the early 1980s, he served on the Shoal Lake Rink Committee and the Shoal Lake Communiplex. He worked with others to attract a modern high throughput elevator to the community. He also served as president of the Shoal Lake Agricultural Society.
Glen’s long record of public service to his community, his province and his country has been exemplary and has been recognized by his peers.