Les Benjamin

Leslie Gordon "Les" Benjamin (April 29, 1925 – June 16, 2003) was a Canadian politician who served in the House of Commons of Canada. Benjamin was first elected to the House of Commons in 1968 as a New Democratic Party MP from Saskatchewan. In parliament, as the NDP's Transport critic, he often clashed with Otto Lang over the Crow Rate that allowed subsidized rail transport for prairie farmers and was an opponent of deregulation. He retired from parliament in 1993.

Les Benjamin
Member of Parliament
In office 1968–1979
Preceded by	first member
Succeeded by	riding dissolved
Constituency	Regina—Lake Centre
In office 1979–1988
Preceded by	first member
Succeeded by	riding dissolved
Constituency	Regina West
In office 1988–1993
Preceded by	first member
Succeeded by	John Solomon
Constituency	Regina—Lumsden
Personal details
Born	Leslie Gordon Benjamin (1925-04-29)April 29, 1925 Medicine Hat, Alberta
Died	June 16, 2003(2003-06-16) (aged 78) Regina, Saskatchewan
Political party	New Democratic Party
Spouse	Constance E. Friesen
Residence(s)	Regina, Saskatchewan
Profession	Manager, railway station agent, secretary, telegrapher

When Ronald Reagan addressed the Parliament of Canada in 1987, Benjamin heckled him by crying "he's mad!".^[1]

Benjamin was of Welsh heritage with his father's family coming to Canada from the Rumney Valley.

Prior to entering politics, Benjamin worked variously as a railway station agent, telegrapher and secretary.