[1] The son of August Sveinson and Mary Gibson, he was born in Spearhill, Manitoba.
He subsequently worked as a federal meat inspector, and operated businesses in towing, security and TV antenna installation.
[1][3] He was never appointed to Premier Gary Filmon's cabinet, though he did serve as Deputy Chair of Committees for a time.
The Progressive Conservatives, who had governed the province since 1988, were defeated by the New Democratic Party in the 1999 provincial election.
Sveinson was upset in La Verendrye, losing to NDP candidate Ron Lemieux by 166 votes.