Ernestly ?!Ernestly ?!By ERNIE NEUFELD, Weyburn Review Associate Publisher
Perusing Maclean's Magazine a moon or so ago, I came across a very familiar grin - in two of its manifestations - on a page titled "Double Take." The grin and the bodies to which it was attached both belonged to former Saskatchewan Premier Allan Blakeney (1971-1982), now head of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and a member of the board of Algoma Steel.
There was no hint as to what had given rise to the article at this particular time, and I admit I was surprised to find that the writer had characterized him as "an expert on Prairie agricultural issues often seen by others as the epitome of his province."
I have no bone to pick with Mr. Blakeney. (Well, maybe a little one.) But an agricultural expert? That's placing a heavy onus on a Bluenose who received his law degree from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, went to Oxford University after 1947, and presumably was parachuted into Saskatchewan for his political leanings (and intelligence of course). Okay, maybe an agro expert. Even I have learned that when it hasn't rained for a while you assume a worried attitude, suck in your cheeks, and say, "If it don't rain pretty darn soon there won't be any crop, and at the going price it would hardly be worth taking off anyway." So ought not a Rhodes Scholar and premier do at least as well? Epitome of Saskatchewan? Does that mean he is dry, poor and a good curler?
What really got to me was that
one of the two visages in Maclean's beside a contemporary shot,
caught Mr. Blakeney allegedly as premier in 1972, proudly wearing
a Saskatchewan Homecoming '71 hat. So if I sound just a bit snarky,
I confess it has to do with him wearing that hat so jauntily.
Or at all!
Let me take you back 30 years ago to the spring of 1969. Economic conditions were lousy, money was scarce, and Ross Thatcher's Liberal administration was willing good things to happen. Perhaps inspired by regal mandate, and maybe an after-five drink, one Roger Franklin and one or two associates at Saskatchewan Tourism got this wonderful idea: so many people had left Saskatchewan over the years that a great way of attracting visitors and tourist revenue to the province might be a massive reunion in 1971. Lo! Saskatchewan Homecoming '71 was born!
As it turned out Uncle Ross was not impressed, but yielding to the youthful enthusiasm and earnest pleadings of Roger and his cohorts, took pity and granted reluctant approval - so long as it didn't cost any money. The venture would have to rely on local enthusiasm and initiative.
To make a long story short, the Rogerites were sufficiently sold on their plan (and wise in the ways of bureaucratic finessing), that they sallied forth, probably on invented field trips, and found chairmen for the 12 zones into which they had divided the province. They did a pretty good selling job and enlisted an enthusiastic crew that met periodically to lay out a master plan, then returned to their districts to persuade leaders of the province's hundreds of communities to plan local galas and invite expatriates back for Homecoming '71. (I was privileged to serve as chairman of Zone 1, the southeast of the province.) Since there was not an official nickel in the budget for us, we had to turn in traveling expense sheets on faith.
The NDP opposition seized on the whole idea as a sinister Liberal plot to further the government's political ambitions, and derisively twisted the Homecoming '71 theme into a slogan for the NDP's inevitable return to power in a mooted 1971 general election.
But in spite of apathy on one side of the House, and antagonism on the other, grassroots enthusiasm won out for an idea that had found its time, and it became apparent that Homecoming '71 was going to be a hit. Nothing succeeds like success, so Boss Ross started shaking the money tree. Down came a few million dollars to be parceled out at the zone level for worthwhile local projects. By this time, fortunately, most of the planning had been done, because handing out the manna from Wascana became a major responsibility for chairmen.
So 1971 rolled in and it was a year chockfull of events that brought thousands of ex-Saskatchewanians and other visitors into the province. The proverbial good time was had by all. The opposition sulked, but for reasons that probably had nothing to do with Homecoming, the Liberal government suffered inglorious defeat in the general election held in summer of the big year.
The Homecoming blast continued unabated to the end of the year, and as a wrap-up, the provincial committee had planned a New Year's Eve party for zone chairmen, their wives, and a handful of civil servants who had been immersed in the planning and mother-henning of the province-wide celebrations. It was the only reward beyond personal satisfaction afforded or considered for the volunteers who devoted three years into cobbling a program that injected much-needed revenue into a faltering economy at every level, and a lot of fun into the lives of many thousands of residents and visitors.
By now Allan Blakeney was premier, and for reasons best known to himself, he chose to emcee the event personally. To paraphrase Mark Twain, I shall drop the curtain of charity on the tin-plate special dinner and formalities that constituted the regally cavalier dismissal of this dedicated group of volunteers.
As a premier, Mr. Blakeney went on to serve honorably, capably and with integrity. I have long forgiven him for New Year's Eve, 1971. But I am tempted to enlarge and frame the Maclean's photo of him bedecked in the Homecoming '71 hat, and look at it any time I feel like a good laugh - or a good cry.
My address (also listed on the Review's Website) is ernestly@pathcom.com.
Box 400, 904 East Avenue
Weyburn, SK
S4H 2K4
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