Bill McKnight

William Hunter McKnight (July 12, 1940 – October 4, 2019) was a Canadian politician who served in the Canadian House of Commons from 1979 to 1993. During the government of Brian Mulroney, he served in various cabinet roles such as Minister of National Defence and Minister of Agriculture. He also served as the Treaty Commissioner for the Province of Saskatchewan.

Biography Born in Wartime, Saskatchewan, he served as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Minister of National Defence during the first Gulf War, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources and Minister of Labour in the Progressive Conservative government of Brian Mulroney. He was sworn into the Queen's Privy Council for Canada on September 17, 1984. He was the Honorary Chief of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. A parcel of commercial land in Saskatoon was named after McKnight by the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in recognition of his role in creating federal policy for Land Claims Settlements. It is known as the McKnight Commercial Centre. McKnight died in Saskatoon on October 4, 2019, at the age of 79.

Honours He was a Member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.

Archives There is a William Hunter (Bill) McKnight fonds at Library and Archives Canada.