Grant Devine
Encyclopedia
Donald Grant Devine was the 11th Premier
of Saskatchewan
from May 8, 1982 to November 1, 1991.
, he received a B.Sc. in Agriculture degree specializing in Agricultural Economics in 1967 from the University of Saskatchewan
, an M.Sc. specializing in Agricultural Economics in 1969 from the University of Alberta
, an M.B.A. from the University of Alberta in 1970, and a Ph.D.
in Agricultural Economics from Ohio State University
in 1976.
A farmer, teacher and agricultural economist, Devine taught at the University of Saskatchewan
in the 1970s before entering politics.
in a Saskatoon seat, he was elected leader of the provincial Progressive Conservative Party in 1979. He lost a 1980 by-election in Estevan in a three-way split in which each party received more than 27 percent of the vote.
Devine won election to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
in the 1982 general election
that brought him and 54 other Progressive Conservatives to power. Only a small portion of the long-ruling New Democratic Party (NDP) was left as opposition. Devine thus became the first Progressive Conservative Premier of Saskatchewan and the first Conservative politician to hold the office since James T.M. Anderson formed a coalition government in 1929.
Devine's government divested several state-owned enterprises, made initial public offering
s of others, introduced reforms to labour law and welfare programs.
Devine instituted royalty holidays for new wells drilled from June 1, 1982 to the end of 1983, as well at a 30 per cent tax reduction on older wells from 1974 on, and other tax breaks were offered to the industry. This was expected to cost the province $35 million, but lost revenue would be made up via increased exploration.
Devine governed during some of the worst droughts since the "dirty thirties". The price of oil and agricultural commodities collapsed. In the end, the high cost of government mortgage rate reduction policies during 19 per-cent interest rates and his agricultural rescue policies resulted in a large deficit. The year Devine came to government the provincial GDP only grew 0.6 per cent, down from 20.9 per cent growth the previous year. Since then Saskatchewan has had routinely less than 10 per cent growth in GDP.
His government was re-elected in the 1986 election
, although his NDP opponents won a plurality of votes.
Devine's government was defeated in the 1991 election
after two terms in power. The PC party was reduced to ten seats in the legislature.
Although Devine himself was never implicated in any criminal wrongdoing, 13 out of 55 Conservative MLAs and staffers were charged with expense account fraud during Devine's second term, 1986–1991. Of these a handful were acquitted while some served prison time.
In 2004, Devine announced his intention to return to politics and run for the federal Conservative Party of Canada
, but the party ruled he was an undesirable candidate, and denied him the right to seek a nomination. On May 7, Devine announced that he would run as an independent candidate in the 2004 federal election
for the riding
of Souris—Moose Mountain
. Consequently, Devine was expelled from the Conservative Party on June 8 by the party's executive council. Despite the ruling, Devine continued to enjoy the public support of Conservative Deputy leader Peter MacKay
. The former Premier finished the election second to Conservative Ed Komarnicki
. Devine received 8,399 votes (29.42% of the popular vote).
On October 2, 2009, it was announced that Devine is to be appointed to the honour of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, for his contributions to the Province of Saskatchewan.
Premier of Saskatchewan
The Premier of Saskatchewan is the first minister for the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive....
of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
from May 8, 1982 to November 1, 1991.
Early life
Born in Regina, SaskatchewanRegina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
, he received a B.Sc. in Agriculture degree specializing in Agricultural Economics in 1967 from the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
, an M.Sc. specializing in Agricultural Economics in 1969 from the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
, an M.B.A. from the University of Alberta in 1970, and a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in Agricultural Economics from Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
in 1976.
A farmer, teacher and agricultural economist, Devine taught at the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
in the 1970s before entering politics.
Political career
Although he was defeated during 1978 electionSaskatchewan general election, 1978
The Saskatchewan general election of 1978 was the nineteenth provincial election in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on October 18, 1978, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
in a Saskatoon seat, he was elected leader of the provincial Progressive Conservative Party in 1979. He lost a 1980 by-election in Estevan in a three-way split in which each party received more than 27 percent of the vote.
Devine won election to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
The 25th Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan was in power from 2003 until November 20, 2007. It was controlled by the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party under premier Lorne Calvert.-Members:-By-elections:...
in the 1982 general election
Saskatchewan general election, 1982
The Saskatchewan general election of 1982 was the twentieth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on April 26, 1982, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
that brought him and 54 other Progressive Conservatives to power. Only a small portion of the long-ruling New Democratic Party (NDP) was left as opposition. Devine thus became the first Progressive Conservative Premier of Saskatchewan and the first Conservative politician to hold the office since James T.M. Anderson formed a coalition government in 1929.
Devine's government divested several state-owned enterprises, made initial public offering
Initial public offering
An initial public offering or stock market launch, is the first sale of stock by a private company to the public. It can be used by either small or large companies to raise expansion capital and become publicly traded enterprises...
s of others, introduced reforms to labour law and welfare programs.
Devine instituted royalty holidays for new wells drilled from June 1, 1982 to the end of 1983, as well at a 30 per cent tax reduction on older wells from 1974 on, and other tax breaks were offered to the industry. This was expected to cost the province $35 million, but lost revenue would be made up via increased exploration.
Devine governed during some of the worst droughts since the "dirty thirties". The price of oil and agricultural commodities collapsed. In the end, the high cost of government mortgage rate reduction policies during 19 per-cent interest rates and his agricultural rescue policies resulted in a large deficit. The year Devine came to government the provincial GDP only grew 0.6 per cent, down from 20.9 per cent growth the previous year. Since then Saskatchewan has had routinely less than 10 per cent growth in GDP.
His government was re-elected in the 1986 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1986
The Saskatchewan general election of 1986 was the twenty-first provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on October 20, 1986, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
, although his NDP opponents won a plurality of votes.
Devine's government was defeated in the 1991 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1991
The Saskatchewan general election of 1991 was the twenty-second provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on October 21, 1991, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
after two terms in power. The PC party was reduced to ten seats in the legislature.
Although Devine himself was never implicated in any criminal wrongdoing, 13 out of 55 Conservative MLAs and staffers were charged with expense account fraud during Devine's second term, 1986–1991. Of these a handful were acquitted while some served prison time.
In 2004, Devine announced his intention to return to politics and run for the federal Conservative Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
, but the party ruled he was an undesirable candidate, and denied him the right to seek a nomination. On May 7, Devine announced that he would run as an independent candidate in the 2004 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2004
The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...
for the riding
Electoral district (Canada)
An electoral district in Canada, also known as a constituency or a riding, is a geographical constituency upon which Canada's representative democracy is based...
of Souris—Moose Mountain
Souris—Moose Mountain
Souris—Moose Mountain is a federal electoral district in Saskatchewan, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1988.-Geography:...
. Consequently, Devine was expelled from the Conservative Party on June 8 by the party's executive council. Despite the ruling, Devine continued to enjoy the public support of Conservative Deputy leader Peter MacKay
Peter MacKay
Peter Gordon MacKay, PC, QC, MP is a lawyer and politician from Nova Scotia, Canada. He is the Member of Parliament for Central Nova and currently serves as Minister of National Defence in the Cabinet of Canada....
. The former Premier finished the election second to Conservative Ed Komarnicki
Ed Komarnicki
Edward "Ed" Komarnicki is a Canadian politician.A lawyer, Komarnicki was elected into the Canadian House of Commons in the Canadian federal election, 2004 as the Conservative Party of Canada candidate in the riding of Souris—Moose Mountain...
. Devine received 8,399 votes (29.42% of the popular vote).
On October 2, 2009, it was announced that Devine is to be appointed to the honour of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, for his contributions to the Province of Saskatchewan.