Lynda Haverstock
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Lynda Maureen Haverstock, M.D. (born September 16, 1948) is the former leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party and was the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan from 2000 until 2006.
Born and raised in Swift Current, Haverstock dropped out of high school after grade 10 and became a teenage mother. As an adult, she went back to school to finish her education, and ultimately earned bachelor and master's degrees in education and a PhD in psychology. Haverstock became leader of the provincial Liberals in 1989, and was the first woman to lead a political party in the province.
Under Haverstock, the party grew significantly: in the 1995 provincial election, the party increased its caucus in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from one (Haverstock's own seat) to 11 and became the Official Opposition. The Liberals won over one-third of the popular vote.
Despite a revival of the party under her leadership, and the potential of becoming a contender for power after the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan collapsed in scandal, Haverstock's leadership was challenged in 1995 by party members who believed she was too moderate, and that the party under her was too close to the federal Liberal Party of Canada. After a caucus revolt, she was forced out of the leadership in favour of Jim Melenchuk.
After being removed as leader, Haverstock quit the party and remained in the legislature as an independent MLA until 1999, when she retired from politics.
The Liberal Party continued to be divided by internal fighting and several Members of the Legislative Assembly left in 1997 to join the Saskatchewan Party. The 1999 provincial election reduced the Liberals to three seats in the legislature.
After leaving politics, Haverstock worked briefly as a radio host before being appointed lieutenant governor in 2000. As lieutenant governor, Haverstock was instrumental in organising the province's centennial celebrations in 2005. In late 2004, her term was extended by one year, a tribute to her energy grace with people. On April 28th, 2006, her successor was announced. Gordon Barnhart is expected to be sworn in August 1, 2006.
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