Bernadette McIntyre announced as Sask.’s 24th lieutenant-governor

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Bernadette McIntyre, a well-known volunteer recognized for her contributions to the Saskatchewan and Canadian sports communities, has been introduced as the province’s 24th lieutenant-governor.

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The announcement was made on Friday afternoon by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who offered congratulations to McIntyre.

“Her leadership and spirit of volunteerism represent the very best of what Canadians do to build a more prosperous and welcoming country. I am confident she will continue to serve Saskatchewanians and Canadians with distinction in her new role,” said Trudeau in a prepared statement.

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Premier Scott Moe also offered a statement shortly after the news broke.

“Bernadette McIntyre has enriched our province by her substantial contributions in several areas, including sport, tourism, business and corporate governance,” said Moe. “She has been a tireless volunteer for numerous groups and special events.”

Having held executive roles at Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) and the Wascana Centre Authority, McIntyre is also a member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

McIntyre was the first woman to be president of the Saskatchewan Curling Association (now CurlSask) and also served as president of the 2001 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials in Regina. She sat on the board of governors for Curling Canada and chaired several Regina-based championships, including the 1998 Scott Tournament of Hearts and the 2006 Tim Hortons Brier, making her the first woman to hold that position.

McIntyre, a long-time board member at the Highland Curling Club, was part of the 2013 and 2022 Grey Cup Festival leadership teams in Regina and co-chaired the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) event held there in 2018. Outside of sports, she was a member of the University of Regina senate and board of governors as well as a board member with the Sandra Schmirler Foundation and Access Communications.

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She also served recently as interim executive director of Globe Theatre.

In recognition of her community service, McIntyre has received multiple accolades, including Curling Canada’s Award of Achievement, the Scotties’ Joan Mead Builder’s Award, and Sport Tourism Canada’s Volunteer of the Year Award. She was also inducted earlier this year into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile on Friday, Trudeau and Moe thanked outgoing lieutenant-governor Russ Mirasty for his service.

Mirasty, appointed in 2019, was Saskatchewan’s first Indigenous lieutenant-governor.

“On behalf of the people of Saskatchewan I would like to thank Their Honours for their outstanding service,” said Moe, also extending thanks to Mirasty’s wife Donna. “Everywhere they travelled throughout Saskatchewan, their genuine warmth and kindness touched the people they met. I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”

The lieutenant-governor is the official provincial representative of His Majesty King Charles III, tasked with fulfilling roles and functions of the Crown such as granting Royal Assent to provincial laws.

Lieutenant-governors in each province are appointed by the Governor General of Canada on the recommendation of the prime minister. They serve terms of at least five years.

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