Post by Mary on Dec 19, 2006 10:00:49 GMT -5
Legislature
Updated Mon. Dec. 18 2006 7:38 PM ET
Canadian Press
REGINA -- For the first time in more than two decades, Colin Thatcher, a former Saskatchewan cabinet minister and convicted killer, returned to the provincial legislature.
Thatcher was present Monday as the government unveiled bronze plaques to mark the gravesites of nine former premiers.
His father, the late Ross Thatcher, was Saskatchewan's premier from 1964 to 1971 and was one of those honoured.
"My father was a very passionate individual," said Thatcher.
"He believed in what he did and people can either agree or disagree with what he did, but he believed very fervently in what he did."
Plaques were also unveiled to honour former premiers Walter Scott and Tommy Douglas, although none of their family members attended.
After the ceremony, Thatcher could be spotted schmoozing with current members of the Opposition Saskatchewan Party and governing NDP.
Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Glenn Hagel, who addressed the gathering, said afterwards that all the families of the nine premiers "if they wished to or were able to" were invited to attend.
"To the best of my knowledge, the Thatcher family was invited," said Hagel.
He had a brief conversation with Thatcher, which the minister described as private and "related to his reasons for being there."
"This was a day for family members of premiers who've made a difference in shaping the province and Ross Thatcher was one of the people being acknowledged," said Hagel.
"I assume that's exactly why he was there."
Thatcher spoke briefly with reporters, but said only that being back in the legislature "does bring back some memories."
Thatcher was a Conservative energy minister in the early 1980s.
He was stripped of his seat in the legislature after being convicted in 1984 in the first-degree murder of his former wife, JoAnn Wilson.
Thatcher, who has always said he is innocent, was granted full parole last month after spending 22 years behind bars.
He wouldn't discuss the case on Monday.
Updated Mon. Dec. 18 2006 7:38 PM ET
Canadian Press
REGINA -- For the first time in more than two decades, Colin Thatcher, a former Saskatchewan cabinet minister and convicted killer, returned to the provincial legislature.
Thatcher was present Monday as the government unveiled bronze plaques to mark the gravesites of nine former premiers.
His father, the late Ross Thatcher, was Saskatchewan's premier from 1964 to 1971 and was one of those honoured.
"My father was a very passionate individual," said Thatcher.
"He believed in what he did and people can either agree or disagree with what he did, but he believed very fervently in what he did."
Plaques were also unveiled to honour former premiers Walter Scott and Tommy Douglas, although none of their family members attended.
After the ceremony, Thatcher could be spotted schmoozing with current members of the Opposition Saskatchewan Party and governing NDP.
Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Glenn Hagel, who addressed the gathering, said afterwards that all the families of the nine premiers "if they wished to or were able to" were invited to attend.
"To the best of my knowledge, the Thatcher family was invited," said Hagel.
He had a brief conversation with Thatcher, which the minister described as private and "related to his reasons for being there."
"This was a day for family members of premiers who've made a difference in shaping the province and Ross Thatcher was one of the people being acknowledged," said Hagel.
"I assume that's exactly why he was there."
Thatcher spoke briefly with reporters, but said only that being back in the legislature "does bring back some memories."
Thatcher was a Conservative energy minister in the early 1980s.
He was stripped of his seat in the legislature after being convicted in 1984 in the first-degree murder of his former wife, JoAnn Wilson.
Thatcher, who has always said he is innocent, was granted full parole last month after spending 22 years behind bars.
He wouldn't discuss the case on Monday.