FREDERICTON – Dwain Lingenfelter’s last appearance on the national stage as Sask-atchewan agriculture minister began with a bang – literally.
As his flight landed in Fredericton July 4, hours after his Regina announcement of impending resignation, a severe thunderstorm rolled through the New Brunswick capital.
With lightning flashing nearby, airline authorities figured the safest place for the passengers was in their seats. They were kept in the plane on the tarmac for more than an hour until the storm subsided.
Ironically, Lingenfelter was the safest agriculture minister around.
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The others gathered for the summer federal-provincial ministers’ meeting were in a tent at the local Agriculture Canada research station, enjoying a barbecue.
As lightning struck all around, organizers worried about the safety of the ministers, since the tent was on a hill and featured a metal pole as tall or taller than surrounding trees.
One lightning strike was so close, the air sizzled and a blast of hot air blew into the tent.
“It was a natural lightning rod,” said a driver assigned by the New Brunswick government to ferry ministers to and from the event. “When it was over, I was relieved I got them out of there with no casualties. It was more good luck than good management.”
Lingenfelter had flown east to be part of the signing ceremony for the new three-year package of farm safety nets. He stayed just one day before flying home to clean out his office. Others at the meeting said he played a limited role in the safety net debate.
“His mind clearly was elsewhere,” said one.
It was a far cry from earlier appearances by the Saskatchewan deputy premier who, during the past year, has been involved in some bitter debates and disputes as most other provinces banded together to try to reduce Saskatchewan’s share of national safety net spending.
In the heat of one battle, Lingenfelter had staged an angry walk-out from a federal-provincial meeting, criticized federal minister Lyle Vanclief and led a campaign to divert farmer safety net anger from Regina to Ottawa.
Low-key departure
Last week, his final appearance as agriculture minister was much more tranquil.
After signing the new agreement, Lingenfelter told a news conference the deal was an example of Canada working.
He said it will inject more hope into a Saskatchewan farm community already feeling better about itself.
“There is a more positive mood this year,” he said. “That is not to say there is not pain and angst out there too, but I think this framework will help to bring hope and optimism to rural Saskatchewan.”
