The University of Winnipeg community mourns the loss of alumnus and Honorary Doctorate recipient Bill Blaikie on September 24, 2022.
Blaikie was an outspoken social justice advocate and a proud alumnus of The University of Winnipeg, graduating with a BA in Religious Studies and Philosophy in 1973.
With a deep dedication to public service and improving the lives of others, he represented Elmwood-Transcona and its former ridings as a Member of Parliament for more than 30 years. While a Member of Parliament, he served in a number of capacities including as Parliamentary Leader of the NDP, Deputy Speaker, and Dean of the House of Commons. After his retirement from federal politics, Blaikie served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
In 2007, Blaikie received an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from the University of Winnipeg and was appointed as the University’s Director of the Knowles-Woodsworth Centre for Theology and Public Policy. Blaikie was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from Victoria University (Toronto) in 2009, was sworn in to the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada in 2003, and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2020.
In honour of Blaikie, the UWinnipeg campus flags will be flown at half-mast on Tuesday, October 4, 2022.
