Davis: New Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre is steeped in volunteering, including sports

Not many people could get away with soft-punching Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe in the back.

But when Moe pretended to balk at signing documents installing Bernadette McIntyre as Saskatchewan’s 24th lieutenant governor during a formal ceremony Friday inside the Legislative Building, that’s what she did.

Standing behind the premier, McIntyre gave him a punch, laughingly exhorting him to continue as guests in the crowded chamber chuckled at their ongoing interplay. Known as much for her effervescence as her volunteerism, McIntyre’s installation ceremony was a joyful afternoon full of speeches and presentations, helped by an open microphone that once captured Moe declaring: “I’m on the wrong side. As usual.”

Because it wasn’t officially a day for politics, NDP Leader Carla Beck also laughed as everyone moved to the next part of the ceremony. It included proclamations, oaths, music from Pile of Bones String Quartet and greetings from dignitaries, plus blessings from knowledge keeper Lyndon Linklater and Archbishop Donald Bolen. Afterwards there was an inspection of the Guard of Honour, followed by tea.

And there were a few “Hurry, hard!” jokes because, despite everything she has done within her community, McIntyre is a curler at heart. In a comparison between two of Saskatchewan’s lieutenant governors, McIntyre readily admits Sylvia Fedoruk was the better curler.

“She was a national champion!” said McIntyre, a recreational curler whose highest-profile volunteer duties have been chairing organizing committees in Regina for the 1998 Scott Tournament of Hearts, 2006 Tim Hortons Brier and 2017 Grand Slam of Curling.

McIntyre is the 24th lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan, the fourth woman chosen to represent the United Kingdom’s sovereign within the province. Fedoruk was the 17th. And the first woman.

McIntyre knew her as “Syl,” a curler and medical physicist from Canora who served as lieutenant governor from 1988-94. Fedoruk, who died in 2012, played third on a Saskatchewan rink skipped by Joyce McKee that won the 1961 Canadian championship.

McIntyre paid homage to Fedoruk and several predecessors during her speech, including her predecessor, Russ Mirasty. With her husband Rich beside her and children Lisa and Shawn in attendance, McIntyre spoke about growing up in Bethune, where her father was a farmer and her mother had come from England. She went to school in her hometown and Lumsden before earning a degree in economics and business administration at the University of Regina.

“As my curling team can attest, I would say, ‘What a cool job being the lieutenant governor would be!’ never dreaming it could be my job,” said McIntyre.

“My mom would be so proud. My dad, too.”

Listing McIntyre’s community involvement took four large paragraphs in the event’s program, including one that was primarily sports-related and included all the curling boards she has worked with, plus the Grey Cup organizing committee and co-chairing the Canadian Open, a Ladies Professional Golf Association tournament held at the Wascana Country Club in 2018 and won by Canadian Brooke Henderson.

According to her portfolio, McIntyre was CEO of the Wascana Centre Authority, held management positions with SGI, was a member of the University of Regina Senate and Board of Governors and served on boards as diverse as the Regina Airport Authority, Regina Exhibition Association, Access Communications, Sandra Schmirler Foundation and was the interim executive director for Globe Theatre when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recommended her to Governor-General Mary Simon.

Among her laurels, McIntyre had already been awarded the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal. And she has been inducted into the Saskatchewan and Regina sports halls of fame.

McIntyre joked about the number of meetings she has attended and vowed to honour volunteers during her term, which is traditionally for five years. And she thanked absolutely everyone for Friday’s festivities, particularly the volunteers.

Moe praised McIntyre’s “unmatched” volunteerism and kidded her about the number of events she would now be attending as King Charles’ representative — “You would have been there anyway,” said the premier with a chuckle before thanking her for accepting another volunteer position:

“You didn’t have to … although you probably have to now.”

The ceremony was nearly over. Tea was being poured. Curlers, friends, family, fellow volunteers and dignitaries would soon be gathering.

“I think it will be the best job ever,” said McIntyre.

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