At last year’s Icelandic festival, I listened intently as The Right Honourable Philip Lee, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Manitoba waxed eloquently about how immigration had shaped Manitoba. He spoke of the hardships the pioneers had to endure to survive and ultimately helped grow a great Country. I thought how fortunate I was to have known so many of Manitoba’s Lieutenant Governors. To mention a few, their honours were Dr. George Johnson. Yvon Dumont, Jack McKeag, John Harvard, and Bud Jobin.

His Honour always asked everyone he met to just call him Bud. I first met Bud in Flin Flon Manitoba. He worked in the purchasing department of the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company with my future father in law. I was instantly impressed. Bud was the consummate politician. He remembered everyone’s name, occupation and how they voted. He had dark good looks, a deep voice and a lovely wife Donnie. His family shared his all-encompassing drive for all things political. He would eventually become a Councillor, then Mayor of Flin Flon. An M.L.A., a Cabinet Minister and finally Lieutenant Governor. 1976-1981. Along the way he helped found the Flin Flon Trout Festival and made legions of friends. Many including my wife and I, would be invited often to Government house. Sometimes to enjoy the company of Harry Belafonte. Or to a formal affair to meet the First Lady of the United States. The Jobin’s were great hosts. It was a marvellous experience to have met so many business and political people, and common folk like us.

We are very fortunate in Manitoba to have so many qualified people willing to assume the Ceremonial Office. The Monarch and the people of Manitoba have been well served. Now we welcome a new Lieutenant Governor. Her Honour Janice Filmon is well qualified to assume the post. As all who know her will attest she has paid her dues. We wish her well

God Save the Queen

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Ken Kristjanson

July 2015