By Patrick Book

Former premier Blakeney passes away

Apr 16, 2011 | 2:41 PM

One of Saskatchewan's most notable former Premiers, the NDP's Allan Blakeney, has died.

News releases from both the NDP and the government confirm the 85-year-old died Saturday after a short battle with cancer. The leaders of the both sides of the Legislature are offering their condolences to his wife and children.

Blakeney served as Premier from 1971 to 1982, a time current Premier Brad Wall calls “volatile” in a news release. Current NDP leader Dwain Lingenfelter insists Blakeney was instrumental in raising the profile and purse strings of Saskatchewan. The NDP government created a Crown corporation in the potash industry at the time.

“His whole building of the economy in the 1970s, it was a time of unprecedented growth and social programs. He stands out as a Premier of the highest stature in the history of our province in my view.”

Remembered as a key player in introducing medicare to Saskatchewan, serving as minister of health in the early 60s when it was implemented.

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“Of course it was very controversial and new,” Lingenfelter says, recalling People were struggling with how to implement and make it work and of course not everybody was in favour of it. He had a special talent for explaining and teaching that I think lead to the proper implementation and then furthering of it to become a Canadian program and one of the real things that stands out in making Canadians Canadians.”

Lingenfelter also notes that it was Blakeney that inspired him to run for politics back in 1978. The two were desk-mates during the Devine era when there were only eight NDP opposition members. He says they grew quite close during that time and he learned a great deal from Blakeney.

Blakeney came to Saskatchewan in the 1950s to work with the Tommy Douglas government on what was supposed to be a temporary basis. He remained in Saskatchewan for the rest of his life, working at various times as a civil servant, an MLA, a Minister, and opposition leader as well.

“I think that says a lot about both Allan Blakeney and about Saskatchewan,” Wall observes in the news release. “He obviously grew to love his adopted province and he served Saskatchewan well in many different roles.”

After leaving politics, Blakeney most recently spent time teaching at the University of Saskatchewan.

The flags at the Legislature will fly at half staff until Blakeney's funeral and a condolence book will be available in the rotunda at the building for those wishing to offer condolences.

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