News release

Members of the House of Assembly Pay Tribute to John Buchanan

Premier's Office

Premier Stephen McNeil and all members of the House of Assembly paid tribute today, Oct. 4, to former premier, the late Senator John Buchanan.

Mr. Buchanan, who led four consecutive majority governments as premier from 1978 to 1990, died Thursday, Oct. 3, at age 88. He also served in the Senate from 1990 to 2006.

“John Buchanan was a genuine champion of Nova Scotia,” said Premier McNeil. “His love of this province and his ability to connect with Nova Scotians was remarkable and that legacy is reflected in the confidence Nova Scotians had in him. My thoughts are with his wife Mavis, their children and his loved ones.”

Quotes:

“I will remember Premier Buchanan as a wonderful storyteller and a man whose genuine interest in people meant he never forgot a name or a face. Our love and thoughts go out to Mavis and their five children at this sad time."

– Tim Houston, leader of the official Opposition

“John Buchanan was true to Spryfield, loyal to Sydney, and through and through, a Nova Scotian. He was a person of extraordinary conversational and social skill and his recall for the details of people’s lives and families was the stuff of legend.”

– Gary Burrill, leader of the New Democratic Party

Additional Resources:

To watch Premier McNeil, Mr. Houston and Mr. Burrill pay tribute to Mr. Buchanan in the legislature, visit: https://youtu.be/zqc0Tz17mdc?t=7731