You no longer have to be dead for five years to have a government-owned building or landmark named after you in Saskatchewan.
Allowing living people to be eligible for the honour is one of many changes being made to the province’s naming policy following a recent review by former lieutenant-governor Gordon Barnhart.
Other recommendations in Barnhart’s report include:
• Appointing a permanent naming policy committee.
• Undertaking more publicity and education campaigns to inform the public and to solicit nominations.
• Excluding the Legislative Building, Government House and courthouses from being named after a person.
• Existing names for buildings and geographic features are not to be removed, unless that person is found to have committed a grievous crime or immoral act.
• Consider naming buildings after those who have received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit or the Order of Canada, and that First Nations leaders and leaders in fields other than government be recognized.
• Ensuring every former premier, including North-West Territories Premier Frederick Haultain is honoured.
The updated policy will help ensure that exceptional citizens are recognized and celebrated, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Kevin Doherty said in a news release.
The province plans to launch a campaign in the near future to inform the public on how to nominate individuals for consideration under the naming policy.
