Former Saskatchewan premier Allan Blakeney was remembered in the legislature this week as a man of steady hand and strong conviction.
The former NDP premier, who was 85, died at his Saskatoon home April 16. He had been fighting liver cancer.
Flags atop the legislative building flew at half mast in honour of the Nova Scotia man who came to Saskatchewan in 1950 after obtaining a law degree at Dalhousie and studying at Oxford.
He first ran for office as a CCF candidate in 1960, noted provincial NDP leader Dwain Lingenfelter, and served as education minister in the Tommy Douglas government.
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In the Woodrow Lloyd government, Blakeney was the health minister who led the drive to include doctor services under medicare.
“He was our steady hand,” said premier Brad Wall.
Blakeney sought the NDP leadership in 1970 and became the province’s 10th premier in 1971. He spent a term as opposition leader after losing the 1982 election and resigned in November 1987.
Lingenfelter described Blakeney as “public servant, member of the legislative assembly, a friend, a distinguished cabinet minister, a great party leader and a premier of extraordinary intelligence, principles, vision and determination.”
He said Blakeney’s contributions included the creation of a department of northern Saskatchewan, a home care program, a prescription drug plan, a children’s dental plan and new income support for seniors.
Wall said he met Blakeney only a couple of times but was left with the impression of a man of class.
“I came away with the distinct and lasting impression of a man who was at once someone of brilliance and gravitas while still so approachable.”
He said Blakeney had internal strength and confidence.
The two men would have disagreed on some issues, but Wall said that wouldn’t have mattered to Blakeney.
“The fact that we would disagree would not matter so much to him as the debate itself.”
Wall said that debate would have been conducted respectfully and civilly because Blakeney believed people could disagree without being disagreeable.
The former premier is survived by his wife Anne, and children Hugh, Barbara, Margaret and David.
A public memorial will be held May 7 at 1:30 p.m. in Regina. The funeral will be a private family ceremony.
