Premier Dexter Expresses Sadness Over the Death of Allan Blakeney

Premier Darrell Dexter, today April 16, expressed sadness over the death of native Nova Scotian and former Premier of Saskatchewan, Allan Blakeney.

"This is a great loss and I want to express my sincere condolences to Allan's wife Ann and their entire family at this difficult time," said Premier Dexter.

"As health minister in Saskatchewan, he played a crucial role in the introduction of Medicare, an act that changed, for the better, the definition of Canada itself.

"He was one of the country's leading experts on management of governments and he was a trusted advisor to me and many other Canadian premiers."

Mr. Blakeney was born in Bridgewater and graduated from Dalhousie Law School. He entered politics in 1960 and served as a cabinet minister in the governments of Tommy Douglas and Woodrow Lloyd. He became Premier of Saskatchewan in 1971 and served until 1982.

"Allan may have spent many years in Saskatchewan, but he never forgot his home province," said Premier Dexter. "Allan and Ann spent as much time as they could at their home in Petite Riviere. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him from Nova Scotia and around the country."