New policy established to honour ex-premiers

REGINA The Saskatchewan government has a new policy on naming landmarks after former premiers.

The announcement of the policy came from Premier Brad Wall as a ministerial statement Wednesday, and follows recommendations made in a report by former lieutenant-governor Gordon Barnhart.

“I think it’s reasonable that we would have a formal policy for naming things after former premiers,” Wall told reporters.

Along with the policy announcement, it was revealed that provincial landmarks would be named after former premiers Ross Thatcher, Grant Devine and Roy Romanow.

Earlier this fall, the Regina Public Schools Adult Campus was opened in its new location under the name the Allan Blakeney Adult Campus — a decision Wall said was made knowing the policy was being developed. “Regardless of how you feel about politics, all of these three individuals — four including premier Blakeney — contributed greatly to this province,” Wall said.

Interim NDP leader Nicole Sarauer shared some common ground with Wall on the issue.

“It’s an absolute honour to be able to serve our province in that way, as premier,” she said.

“It’s important that we honour those who did serve and I’m happy to see that today.”

Under the policy, buildings or landmarks that do not already have the name of a person can be named after former premiers, except for the immediate past premier, according to a government press release. The following name changes have been made under the new policy:

The main building at Saskatchewan ■ Polytechnic’s Moose Jaw campus is now named the W. Ross Thatcher building.

The reservoir and dam near ■

Alameda are now the Grant Devine Lake and Grant Devine Dam.

The Saskatchewan Provincial ■

Laboratory in Regina is now the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory.