Keynote Speaker: Dr. Gordon Barnhart

 From Walter Scott to today— a century in working together to make Saskatchewan a good place to live  --  Dr. Gordon Barnhart, C.M., S.O.M. , PhD

Dr. Barnhart will outline the early history of Saskatchewan and the efforts made by the government and the population to work together to meet the challenges of vast distances, a harsh climate and a difficult economy. We face new challenges today and the solution is still to work together.

Gordon Barnhart is an historian and recognized expert on the Canadian parliamentary process.  Dr. Barnhart’s extensive experience in government includes twenty years as Clerk of the Saskatchewan Legislature and five years as Clerk of the Canadian Senate.  He has worked as a consultant to strengthen democratic governance in countries around the world. Gordon obtained a Ph.D. in history at the University of Saskatchewan, where he taught political studies and served as University Secretary.  He has published several books on prairie history and Saskatchewan political figures.

Dr. Barnhart served as Interim President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan from May 2014 to October 2015. He served as Saskatchewan’s 20th Lieutenant Governor from August 2006 to March 2012. He was the Chancellor of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, and Vice-Prior of the Order of St. John in Saskatchewan.  In 2007, Dr. Barnhart was named one of the University of Saskatchewan’s 100 Alumni of Influence. In 2013, he was awarded the Peter Lougheed Award for Leadership in Public Policy.  In 2014, he became a Member of the Order of Canada.

Dr. Barnhart established the Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership Forum to inspire high school students to rise to the challenge of leadership.  The rigorous annual Forum exposed participants to the vast educational and career opportunities in the province.

Gordon was elected to the Council in the Town of Saltcoats in December 2016 and President of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association in February 2017. He is serving on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Gordon was born and raised in Saltcoats, Saskatchewan.  He and his wife Naomi have a blended family of three grown children and five grandchildren.