ADVANCE PRAISE for
BACK TO BLAKENEY
We are living in a time of growing inequality and class conflict. In the face of catastrophic climate change and increasingly extreme right-wing movements, young generations of activists are looking to craft an alternate future. But the burning question is how to turn progressive ideas into practical governance? Back to Blakeney provides a compelling primer in creating a focused and credible plan for social democratic change.
Charlie Angus, author of Children of the Broken Treaty
Back to Blakeney does two things exceptionally wellit sheds light on what was going on in social democratic Saskatchewan in the 1970s, while also providing ideas for how to confront the unsettling nation-wide, right-wing populism of today. The writers demonstrate Blakeneys exercise of power in building a more equal society: principled, consultative, pragmatic, and very competent. They also remind the reader of the important role public ownership in the resource sector can play, why tax reform and increases are now essential to expand the welfare state, and why a principled debate about the relevance of the notwithstanding clause will always be with us as a rights-based democracy. In short, its an important, stimulating, and timely book.
Ed Broadbent, former leader of the federal New Democratic Party
This book makes a serious advancement to our collective understanding of political biography and Canadian and provincial politics from a historical perspective, and the implications of this biography and history for our understanding of Canada and Saskatchewan in todays world.
Andrea Rounce, co-editor of Disengaged
This collection of essays about the exemplary way in which Alan Blakeney practised and espoused the ideals of liberal democracy and social democracy is a timely reminder of what is at stake in resisting the current surge of right-wing populism. It tells us how Blakeney carefully balanced the leadership of cabinet, supported by a strong public service, with the participation of the public in shaping government policy. Other contributions project Blakeneys legacy into the future, showing how Canadian institutions can be made fairer, more inclusive, and more effective. For Canadians disturbed about existing trends in governance and politics, Back to Blakeney is essential reading.
Peter H. Russell, author of Canadas Odyssey: A Country Based on Incomplete Conquests
I can think of no other biographical work in this country that is so competent in its multifaceted approach to its subject.
David Edward Smith, author of The Constitution in a Hall of Mirrors: Canada at 150
This book, in memory of one of Canadas most creative statesmen, addresses the important issues of our time.
Charles Taylor, author of Reconciling the Solitudes: Essays on Canadian Federalism and Nationalism
Revitalizing the Democratic State
Edited by David McGrane, John D. Whyte, Roy Romanow, and Russell Isinger
2019 University of Regina Press
All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyrights hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any meansgraphic, electronic, or mechanicalwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. Any request for photocopying, recording, taping or placement in information storage and retrieval systems of any sort shall be directed in writing to Access Copyright.
Printed and bound in Canada at Friesens. The text of this book is printed on % post-consumer recycled paper with earth-friendly vegetable-based inks.
Cover design: Duncan Campbell, University of Regina Press
Text design: John van der Woude, jvdw Designs
Copy editor: Dallas Harrison
Proofreader: Rhonda Kronyk
Indexer: Judy Dunlop
Cover art: Portrait of Premier Allan Blakeney, May 15, 1973. Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan, 72-1938-46.
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Title: Back to Blakeney : revitalizing the democratic state / edited by David McGrane, John Whyte, Roy Romanow, and Russell Isinger.
Names: McGrane, David, editor. | Romanow, Roy J., editor. | Whyte, John D., editor. | Isinger, Russell, 1965- editor.
Description: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: Canadiana (print) 20190113499 | Canadiana (ebook) 2019011360 x |
isbn 9780889776418 (softcover) | isbn 9780889776821 (hardcover) | isbn 9780889776425 ( pdf ) | isbn 9780889776432 ( html )
Subjects: lcsh : Blakeney, Allan. | lcsh : Premiers (Canada)SaskatchewanBiography. | CSH: SaskatchewanPolitics and government1971-1982. | lcgft : Biographies.
Classification: lcc fc 3527.1. b 43 b 33 2019 | ddc 971.24/03092dc23
University of Regina Press, University of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, s4s 0a2
tel: (306) 585-4758 fax: (306) 585-4699
web: www.uofrpress.ca
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts for our publishing program. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. / Nous reconnaissons lappui financier du gouvernement du Canada. This publication was made possible with support from Creative Saskatchewans Book Publishing Production Grant Program.
This publication was made possible with the help of a grant from the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, through the Awards to Scholarly Publications Program, using funds provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Looking Back to Allan Blakeney for the Sake of Democracys Future David McGrane, John D. Whyte, Roy Romanow, and Russell Isinger
Part 1
Statesman, Public Administrator, and Social Democrat
Chapter 1
Principled Pragmatism: Allan Blakeney and Saskatchewans Resource Wars Roy Romanow
Chapter 2
Pursuing Equality: The Political Thought of Allan Blakeney David McGrane
Chapter 3
The Blakeney Style of Cabinet Government: Lessons for the Twenty-First Century? Gregory P. Marchildon
Chapter 4
Experts, Politicians, and Public Opinion: Allan Blakeney and Unpacking Democratic Accountability Simone Chambers
Part 2
Blakeneys Constitutional Legacy
Chapter 5
Allan Blakeney and the Dignity of Democratic Debate on Rights Dwight Newman
Chapter 6
Allan Blakeney and Keeping Democracys Promise John D. Whyte
Part 3
Meeting the Challenges to the Democratic State in the Twenty-First Century
Chapter 7
Is Democracy Compatible with Good Government? Michael M. Atkinson
Chapter 8
Trust, Taxes, and Democracy in Canada Alex Himelfarb
Chapter 9
Social Democracy and the Canadian Welfare State Nelson Wiseman
Chapter 10
Because Its 2019: Gender, Canadian Politics, and the Democratic Deficit Melanee Thomas
Chapter 11
The Duty to Consult: Creating Political Space for First Nations? Katherine Walker