Released on April 16, 2011
Saskatchewan is mourning the loss of former Premier Allan Blakeney, who died today following a battle with cancer. Blakeney was Premier of Saskatchewan from 1971 to 1982.
Premier Brad Wall expressed condolences on behalf of the government and people of Saskatchewan.
"Premier Blakeney will be remembered as a steady leader during a volatile decade," Wall said. "He was a strong voice for Saskatchewan, but he also believed in a strong and united Canada. He balanced those interests throughout his term and especially during the negotiations that led to the repatriation of the constitution in 1982."
Wall noted that Blakeney came to Saskatchewan from Nova Scotia in 1950 to provide "temporary" service to the Douglas government and remained in Saskatchewan for the rest of his life.
"I think that says a lot about both Allan Blakeney and about Saskatchewan," Wall said. "He obviously grew to love his adopted province and he served Saskatchewan well in many different roles as a civil servant, MLA, Minister, Opposition Leader and Premier.
"Tami and I want to express our deepest sympathies to Premier Blakeney's wife Anne and to his children Hugh, Barbara, Margaret and David and their families."
The flags at the Legislature will fly at half staff until Blakeney's funeral and a condolence book will be set up in the rotunda of the Legislature for citizens to provide messages to the Blakeney family.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Kathy Young
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8927