'Gordon L. Barnhart,
SOM,
BA,
MA,
PhD' is a former Clerk of the
Canadian Senate and the
Saskatchewan Legislature, as well as former Secretary of the
University of Saskatchewan. As one of the current
Lieutenant-Governors, he represents Canada's Sovereign,
Queen Elizabeth II, in Saskatchewan.
Biography
Barnhart was born in
Saltcoats,
Saskatchewan. He completed his
Bachelor of Arts in
History in
1967 and in
1968, he took a job teaching grades ten and eleven history at
North Battleford Collegiate Institute (Now
North Battleford Comprehensive High School). In
1968, after only four months of teaching, he was appointed
Clerk of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly, the youngest to take on such a position across the Commonwealth. During his tenure, he worked on his
Masters of Arts at the
University of Regina, completing it in
1977.
In 1989,
Governor General Jeanne Sauvé, on the advice of
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, appointed Barnhart to
Clerk of the Senate, and thereby
Clerk of the Parliaments. After five years, which included contributing to the failed
Charlottetown Accord, he resigned from his position in the Senate. He returned to the University of Saskatchewan, where he completed his
Doctorate in
1998.
From
2000-
2005, he served as Secretary of the University of Saskatchewan. He retired to teach political studies classes, specializing in Canadian politics, government and the
Canadian Senate.
In 2001, Barnhart's book ''Peace, Progress and Prosperity'' (ISBN 0-88977-142-1), which provided the first detailed biography of Saskatchewan's first Premier,
Thomas Walter Scott, was first published. Some of his other works include ''Saskatchewan's Premiers of the Twentieth Century'', ''Building for the Future; a photo journal of Saskatchewan's Legislative Building'' and ''Parliamentary Committees: Enhancing Democratic Governance''.
On April 28, 2006,
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Gordon Barnhart would replace
Lynda Haverstock as
Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan. He was sworn in on
August 1 2006.
Naomi Barnhart
Naomi, Mrs. Gordon Barnhart (a native of
Osler, Saskatchewan) is an active advocate of physical fitness and healthy living.
As Lieutenant-Governor
As Lieutenant Governor, Barnhart carries out such duties as reading throne speeches, swearing in premiers and cabinet ministers, opening legislative sessions, approving legislation and bestowing honours to Saskatchewan citizens.
Upon being sworn in, Barnhart expressed his respect and admiration for his predecessors. As an academic, he expects to focus his efforts on education. He also plans on traveling a great deal to continue the office's accessibility to average Saskatchewanians provided by Haverstock.
[1]
Barnhart hosted thousands of visitors on the occasion of his first New Year's Day Levee at Government House in 2007, a traditional event that Lieutenant Governors in Saskatchewan have hosted since 1884.
'Additional Roles'
★ Visitor to the University of Saskatchewan
★ Visitor to the University of Regina
'Patronage'
★
Canadian Clubs of Saskatchewan (Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon)
★
Monarchist League of Canada (
North and
South Saskatchewan)
★ Canadian Parents for French
★ Saskatchewan Craft Council
★ Saskatchewan Music Festivals Association
★ The Lung Association of Saskatchewan
See also
★
Monarchy in Saskatchewan
★
Government House (Saskatchewan)
Sources
★
"Barnhart says he has big shoes to fill" by Sarah Macdonald, ''The Leader-Post'', July 31, 2006, retrieved August 1, 2006,
★
"Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan" retrieved December 18, 2006,
★
Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan
★
Barnhart Becomes Lieutenant Governor (2006)
★
Feature interview with the Sheaf newspaper (2007)