Allan Blakeney | |
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10th Premier of Saskatchewan | |
In office June 30, 1971 – May 8, 1982 | |
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Lieutenant Governor | Stephen Worobetz George Porteous Irwin McIntosh |
Preceded by | Ross Thatcher |
Succeeded by | Grant Devine |
Leader of the Opposition | |
In office July 4, 1970 – June 30, 1971 | |
Preceded by | Woodrow Lloyd |
Succeeded by | David Steuart |
In office May 8, 1982 – November 7, 1987 | |
Preceded by | Eric Berntson |
Succeeded by | Roy Romanow |
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for Regina City | |
In office June 8, 1960 – April 22, 1964 | |
Preceded by | Clarence Melvin Fines |
Succeeded by | District divided |
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for Regina West | |
In office April 22, 1964 – October 11, 1967 Serving with Marjorie Cooper | |
Preceded by | District divided |
Succeeded by | District abolished |
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for Regina Centre | |
In office October 11, 1967 – June 11, 1975 | |
Preceded by | District created |
Succeeded by | District renamed |
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for Regina Elphinstone | |
In office June 11, 1975 – March 21, 1988 | |
Preceded by | District renamed |
Succeeded by | Dwain Lingenfelter |
President of the New Democratic Party | |
In office 1969–1971 | |
Preceded by | James Renwick |
Succeeded by | Donald C. MacDonald |
Personal details | |
Born | Allan Emrys Blakeney September 7, 1925 Bridgewater, Nova Scotia |
Died | April 16, 2011 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | (aged 85)
Political party | New Democratic Party |
Spouse | Anne Gorham |
Children | 4 |
Allan Emrys Blakeney PC OC SOM QC FRSC (September 7, 1925 – April 16, 2011) was a Canadian politician who served as the tenth premier of Saskatchewan from 1971 to 1982. Originally from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Blakeney moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, and worked in the province's civil service before running for office with the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) under Tommy Douglas. Blakeney became leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) in 1970. Altogether, he was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 1960 to 1988.
Before he was premier, Blakeney played a key role in the implementation of the first Canadian public health insurance program (Medicare) in 1962. As premier, Blakeney's government was notable for its approach to resource development. The NDP nationalized the potash industry, created a range of new crown corporations such as SaskOil and PotashCorp, and fought with the federal government over resource rights and taxation. Blakeney was also a key figure in the negotiations surrounding Patriation of the Canadian Constitution in the early 1980s, and in the development of the Constitution's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. After retiring from politics, Blakeney taught and wrote about constitutional law for more than two decades.