April 29/06 4:01 am - Cyclist Named Saskatchewan's Lieutenant-Governor

Posted by Editoress on 04/29/06
 

Cyclist Named Saskatchewan's Lieutenant-Governor
Courtesy Darrell Noakes

Gordon Barnhart has been chosen as Saskatchewan's new lieutenant-governor. The appointment was announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office on Friday afternoon.

Dr. Barnhart rode with a Regina cycling club while employed as clerk of the Saskatchewan legislature before moving to Ottawa as clerk of the Canadian Senate. He returned to Saskatchewan to work as secretary of the University of Saskatchewan throughout the 1990s, where he remained until his retirement last year.

Dr Barnhart regularly rode with the Wascana Freewheelers bicycle touring club, participating in tours and recreational rides.

He hasn't ridden as much in recent years, but has expressed a wish to ride more regularly if he could find others who can fit in with his schedule.

A longtime advocate of the need to strengthen democratic government at both home and abroad, Dr. Barnhart worked on projects with the Canadian International Development Agency and United States Agency for International Development. He trained elected members and public servants in South Africa, lead a seminar in Vietnam for 110 newly elected female parliamentarians, and designed and led workshops for Russian elected members and public servants.

The lieutenant-governor is the official head of state, formally appointing the provincial premier and cabinet ministers, opening and proroguing (closing) legislative sessions, approving legislation and bestowing honours.