REGINA - The well-known federal and provincial Saskatchewan politician Chris Axworthy has passed away.
Axworthy died Friday at age 76. Premier Scott Moe confirmed the news on social media and announced flags would be lowered at the Legislature.
Born in Plymouth, England, Axworthy was a law professor at the University of Saskatchewan and a number of other law schools in Canada, including being the founding Dean of Law at Thompson Rivers University.
He ran for Parliament in 1988, and is perhaps best known for his stunning election victory in that vote. He won for the NDP in Saskatoon Clark’s Crossing in a major upset over federal Justice Minister Ray Hnatyshyn, who was later appointed Governor General.
After winning two more elections Axworthy resigned to enter provincial politics, serving as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Axworthy ran for provincial NDP leader in 2001, finishing second to Lorne Calvert.
After leaving provincial politics in 2003, Axworthy returned to academic life. He tried again to regain a seat in the federal Parliament, this time running for the federal Liberals, but he was unsuccessful in both the 2004 and 2006 elections.
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