He was a member of the Manitoba legislature from 1969 to 1999 and was a Cabinet Minister in the governments of New Democratic Premiers Edward Schreyer and Howard Pawley.
This election was a watershed moment in Manitoba politics, as the NDP emerged as the largest party with 28 seats and formed government after gaining the support of Liberal MLA Laurent Desjardins.
[1] Evans oversaw the Manitoba Development Corporation in his ministerial role and used his position to promote public management within certain industries.
He was relieved of the latter two positions on August 20, 1982, and on November 4, 1983, was transferred to the Ministry of Employment Services and Economic Security, where he would remain until the fall of the NDP government in 1988.
[1] Evans faced a surprisingly strong challenge from PC candidate Jim Armstrong in the 1986 provincial election but was re-elected by about 1000 votes.
[5] Prior to the fall of the NDP government in 1988, Evans went on record as being one of the few MLAs in his party to oppose the Meech Lake Accord.