# Janice MacKinnon

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Canadian historian and politician

The Honourable Janice MacKinnon CM ECS SOM FRSC Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly for Saskatoon Idylwyld In office June 21, 1995 – September 30, 2001 Preceded by Eric Cline Succeeded by David Forbes Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly for Saskatoon Westmount In office October 21, 1991 – June 21, 1995 Preceded by John Edward Brockelbank Succeeded by Eric Cline[1] Personal details Born Janice Potter (1947-01-30) January 30, 1947 (age 79) Kitchener, Ontario Party New Democratic Party Alma mater University of Western Ontario Queen's University Occupation Academic

**Janice MacKinnon,** [C.M.](/source/Order_of_Canada), [S.O.M.](/source/Saskatchewan_Order_of_Merit), [FRSC](/source/Royal_Society_of_Canada) (born January 30, 1947) is a [Canadian](/source/Canadians) academic and former politician who served as a Member of the [Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan](/source/Legislative_Assembly_of_Saskatchewan) (MLA) from 1991 to 2001, and as [Minister of Finance](/source/Finance_minister) under [New Democratic Party](/source/Saskatchewan_New_Democratic_Party) Premier [Roy Romanow](/source/Roy_Romanow). She is currently a professor in the School of Public Health at the [University of Saskatchewan](/source/University_of_Saskatchewan).[2]

## Early life and education

Born Janice Potter in [Kitchener, Ontario](/source/Kitchener%2C_Ontario), she attended [Huron University College](/source/Huron_University_College) of the [University of Western Ontario](/source/University_of_Western_Ontario), which awarded her a bachelor's degree in 1969. She went on to earn a master's degree and doctorate from [Queen's University](/source/Queen's_University_at_Kingston). She joined the University of Saskatchewan in 1975.[3]

## Political career

From 1991 to 2001, MacKinnon was a Member of the [Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan](/source/Legislative_Assembly_of_Saskatchewan) (MLA). In addition to being Minister of Finance from 1993 to 1997, she also held the following ministerial positions at various times: Minister of Social Services, Minister of Economic and Co-operative Development, Minister Responsible for Trade, Research and Investment, and Government House Leader. As Finance Minister, she was known by the nickname "Combat Barbie" for her conviction to cut spending in a bid to recover the province's finances, which were in near ruin when [Grant Devine](/source/Grant_Devine)'s [Progressive Conservative](/source/Progressive_Conservative_Party_of_Saskatchewan) government was swept from power in 1991.[4][5]

MacKinnon resigned from the Cabinet of new NDP leader [Lorne Calvert](/source/Lorne_Calvert) on March 2, 2001, and resigned her seat in the Legislature on September 30. [David Forbes](/source/David_Forbes_(politician)) replaced her when he won a November 8 by-election. In 2003, she published a book entitled *Minding the Public Purse* about her time as Finance Minister and fiscal policy in Canada.[4]

In 2003, MacKinnon was rumoured to be considering running for the [Liberal Party of Canada](/source/Liberal_Party_of_Canada) in the following year's [federal election](/source/2004_Canadian_federal_election), but she ultimately declined.[6]

## Post-political life and career

After resigning from the Saskatchewan Legislature, MacKinnon returned to teaching at the University of Saskatchewan.[7]

She is chair of the board of directors of the [Institute for Research on Public Policy](/source/Institute_for_Research_on_Public_Policy). She also sits on the board of directors for the [Canada West Foundation](/source/Canada_West_Foundation).[8] In 2008, MacKinnon was named Chair of the Board of Investment Saskatchewan, a Saskatchewan Crown Corporation managing investment capital and financing.[9]

MacKinnon sits as an advisor to [Canada's Ecofiscal Commission](/source/Canada's_Ecofiscal_Commission), was appointed as chair of the [Blue Ribbon Panel on Alberta’s Finances](/source/MacKinnon_Report) by Alberta Premier [Jason Kenney](/source/Jason_Kenney),[10] and was named to the first tribunal formed under the [Saskatchewan First Act](/source/Saskatchewan_First_Act), which was tasked with examining the economic impact of proposed federal clean electricity regulations.[11] MacKinnon also serves as a member of the University of Alberta's Board of Governors.[12]

In 2024, during a meeting of the University of Alberta Board of Governors, MacKinnon proposed eliminating the University of Alberta's EDI Office.[13]

## Personal life

MacKinnon is married to [Peter MacKinnon](/source/Peter_MacKinnon), a former president of the University of Saskatchewan. They were married in 1974 and have two children.[7]

In 2005, MacKinnon was made a Fellow of the [Royal Society of Canada](/source/Royal_Society_of_Canada). In 2012, she was named to the [Order of Canada](/source/Order_of_Canada).[14] In 2013, she was named one of the Top 25 women of influence in Canada's public sector.[3]

## Electoral record

1999 Saskatchewan general election: Saskatoon Idylwyld Party Candidate Votes % New Democratic Janice Mackinnon 3,144 53.89 Saskatchewan Martin Boser 1,333 22.85 Liberal Tim Ponto 977 16.75 New Green Maisie Shiell 258 4.42 Progressive Conservative Kenneth J. Klassen 122 2.09 Total 5,834 100.00

1995 Saskatchewan general election: Saskatoon Idylwyld Party Candidate Votes % New Democratic Janice Mackinnon 4,064 62.94 Liberal Bonnye Georgia 1,646 25.49 Progressive Conservative Kent Latimer 747 11.57 Total 6,457 100.00

1991 Saskatchewan general election: Saskatoon Westmount Party Candidate Votes % New Democratic Janice Mackinnon 5,505 65.33 Liberal Myron Luczka 1,913 22.70 Progressive Conservative George Turanich 1,008 11.96 Total 8,426 100.00

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Saskatoon Mount Royal

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Primary and Joint faculty"](https://sph.usask.ca/people/faculty/primary-joint-profile-list.php). *University of Saskatchewan School of Public Health*. Retrieved 2023-10-11.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) ["U of S Professor Janice MacKinnon named as one of Canada's Top 25 Women of Influence"](https://news.usask.ca/media-release-pages/2013/u-of-s-professor-janice-mackinnon-named-as-one-of-canadas-top-25-women-of-influence1.php). *University of Saskatchewan*. 2013-09-12. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161107190500/https://news.usask.ca/media-release-pages/2013/u-of-s-professor-janice-mackinnon-named-as-one-of-canadas-top-25-women-of-influence1.php) from the original on 2016-11-07. Retrieved 2023-10-11.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_4-1) Simpson, Jeffrey (2003-05-10). ["Fiscal lessons from 'Combat Barbie'"](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/fiscal-lessons-from-combat-barbie/article750500/). *[The Globe and Mail](/source/The_Globe_and_Mail)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231011165655/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/fiscal-lessons-from-combat-barbie/article750500/) from the original on 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2023-10-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Although MacKinnon has at times been called Canada's first female finance minister, Bette Stephenson became Ontario's treasurer in 1985—effectively the province's finance minister; Ferrier MacKay, Susan (2019-09-06). ["Dr. Bette Stephenson, 95, was a trailblazer in Ontario politics with many 'first female' titles to her name"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191005154212/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-dr-bette-stephenson-95-was-a-trailblazer-in-ontario-politics-with/). *The Globe and Mail*. Archived from [the original](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-dr-bette-stephenson-95-was-a-trailblazer-in-ontario-politics-with/) on 2019-10-05. Retrieved 2023-10-11.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_numeric_names:_authors_list))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Simpson, Jeffrey (2003-09-04). ["A chance to change the political map"](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/a-chance-to-change-the-political-map/article772138/). *The Globe and Mail*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221103160015/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/a-chance-to-change-the-political-map/article772138/) from the original on 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2023-10-11.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_7-1) ["MacKinnon, Janice, 1947-"](https://search.saskarchives.com/mackinnon-janice-1947). *[Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan](/source/Provincial_Archives_of_Saskatchewan)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210413052623/https://search.saskarchives.com/mackinnon-janice-1947) from the original on 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2023-10-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Canada West Foundation List of Board of Directors, [Accessed 22 May 2008.](http://www.cwf.ca/V2/cnt/about_board.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080429211948/http://www.cwf.ca/V2/cnt/about_board.php) 29 April 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Regina Leader Post, [January 25, 2008](http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=ee29d0ac-dc26-4ed0-a42e-6aaa743b507c&k=33863); [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120317194436/http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=ee29d0ac-dc26-4ed0-a42e-6aaa743b507c&k=33863) March 17, 2012, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) [Investment Saskatchewan.](http://www.investsask.com/board_officers.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070424175735/http://www.investsask.com/board_officers.php) 2007-04-24 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Graney, Emma (2019-07-25). ["Mackinnon made 'draconian' cuts in Saskatchewan, but says Alberta in better shape"](https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/janice-mackinnon-the-woman-charged-with-fixing-albertas-finances/wcm/e4035a9e-d396-4828-8a47-1f054105f445). *[National Post](/source/National_Post)*. Retrieved 2023-10-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Simes, Jeremy (2023-11-28). ["Provincial government uses Sask. First Act for 1st time to review federal electricity regulations"](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-first-act-clean-electricity-regulations-1.7042841). *CBC News*. [The Canadian Press](/source/The_Canadian_Press). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231129050754/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-first-act-clean-electricity-regulations-1.7042841) from the original on 2023-11-29. Retrieved 2023-12-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** French, Janet (Mar 4, 2020). ["Janice MacKinnon appointed to University of Alberta board of governors"](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/janice-mackinnon-appointed-to-university-of-alberta-board-of-governors-1.5486269). *CBC News*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Liddle, Hannah (2025-01-28). ["Inside the University of Alberta's move away from equity, diversity and inclusion"](https://universityaffairs.ca/news/inside-the-university-of-albertas-move-away-from-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/). *University Affairs*. Retrieved 2025-01-30.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** MacPherson, Colleen (2013-01-10). ["Janice MacKinnon named to Order of Canada"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161007170305/https://news.usask.ca/articles/people/2013/janice-mackinnon-named-to-order-of-canada.php). *University of Saskatchewan*. Archived from [the original](https://news.usask.ca/articles/people/2013/janice-mackinnon-named-to-order-of-canada.php) on 2016-10-07. Retrieved 2023-10-11.

## Selected bibliography

- *The Liberty We Seek: Loyalist Ideology in Colonial New York and Massachusetts* (1983) ([ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0674530268](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0674530268))

- *While the Women Only Wept: Loyalist Refugee Women* (1993) ([ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0773513175](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0773513175))

- *Minding the Public Purse: The Fiscal Crisis, Political Trade-offs and Canada's Future* (2003) ([ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0773527494](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0773527494))

## References

- ["Janice MacKinnon, Chair"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070714161111/http://www.irpp.org/about/mackinnon.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.irpp.org/about/mackinnon.htm) on 2007-07-14.

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States France BnF data Netherlands Israel Other IdRef Yale LUX

v t e Cabinet of Premier of Saskatchewan Lorne Calvert (2001–2007) Lorne Calvert Graham Addley Pat Atkinson Chris Axworthy Joan Beatty Buckley Belanger Lon Borgerson Eric Cline Joanne Crofford David Forbes Keith Goulet Glenn Hagel Doreen Hamilton Ron Harper Deb Higgins Judy Junor Eldon Lautermilch Pat Lorje Janice MacKinnon Warren McCall Jim Melenchuk Sandra Morin John Nilson Ron Osika Peter Prebble Frank Quennell Clay Serby Maynard Sonntag Len Taylor Andrew Thomson Kim Trew Harry Van Mulligen Mark Wartman Kevin Yates

v t e Cabinet of Premier of Saskatchewan Roy Romanow (1991–2001) Roy Romanow Doug Anguish Pat Atkinson Chris Axworthy Buckley Belanger Judy Bradley Lorne Calvert Carol Carson Eric Cline Joanne Crofford Darrel Cunningham Keith Goulet Glenn Hagel Doreen Hamilton Jack Hillson Judy Junor Murray Koskie Eldon Lautermilch Dwain Lingenfelter Janice MacKinnon Jim Melenchuk Bob Mitchell John Nilson John Penner Bob Pringle Andy Renaud Lorne Scott Clay Serby Ned Shillington Louise Simard Maynard Sonntag Ed Tchorzewski Carol Teichrob Fred Thompson Harry Van Mulligen Eric Upshall Berny Wiens

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Janice MacKinnon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janice_MacKinnon) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janice_MacKinnon?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.