Premier Pays Tribute to Two Former Deputy Ministers

Premier Rodney MacDonald today, July 28, said the provincial government is mourning the loss of two former senior public servants who passed away during the past week: Dr. F.R. (Fred) MacKinnon, who was deputy minister of Community Services and Ralph Morehouse, former deputy minister of Agriculture.

Dr. MacKinnon's career spanned 55 years of public service, beginning in 1937 with the Children's Aid Society. He played an influential role in establishing the Maritime School of Social Work in 1941 and served as deputy minister of Community Services from 1947 to 1980, where he was responsible for establishing many of the department's program and services.

"Dr. MacKinnon was an incredibly talented man who shaped the foundation of our social programs and greatly influenced public opinion about government's role in helping Nova Scotians in need," said Premier MacDonald.

Following his retirement from Community Services, Dr. MacKinnon became the first director of the then newly formed Nova Scotia Senior Citizens' Secretariat. He was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 1992.

Ralph Morehouse spent his entire career with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, starting as a student assistant and working his way through the department to become deputy minister in 1986. Mr. Morehouse retired from the department in 1991 after 44 years of public service.

"These two former deputy ministers provided 99 years of public service between them. Nova Scotians now have stronger social and agriculture programs as a result of their contributions."