Fine tribute to a quiet leader

Dignitaries from all levels of government gathered recently at the Halifax International Airport to officially rename the terminal in memory of Robert Stanfield, a quiet, modest, often misunderstood man for whom actions usually spoke far louder than words.

There are few Nova Scotians more worthy of such recognition than Stanfield, who spent 11 years as Premier and nine more as Leader of the Official Opposition in Ottawa as part of a lengthy life in public service.

In many ways, it’s fitting to name arguably our province’s best-known public facility after one of our best-known public figures; a man chosen in a newspaper poll in 1999 as Nova Scotia’s Man of the Century.

As a politician, Robert Stanfield was a rarity – a man almost universally admired and respected, regardless of political allegiance. You might not have necessarily voted for him – though many did – but it was pretty hard not to admire him.

Stanfield, who died in Ottawa Dec. 16, 2003 at age 89, was Premier of Nova Scotia from 1956-1967, a period of almost unprecedented prosperity for our province during which many high-profile businesses, including Michelin, were attracted here.

Much of the credit for that growth and prosperity has to go to a man described by current federal Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay as an individual who “set a standard for honesty, for compassion, for leadership.”

Stanfield resigned as Premier when he was elected leader of the federal Progressive Conservative party. In 1972, he came within two seats of forming a minority government. He’s referred to often as “the best Prime Minister Canada never had.”

Even though he seemed throughout his career to be among the most apolitical of politicians, it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that Stanfield’s recognition comes at a time when Conservatives are in power in both Ottawa and Halifax.

At the same time, even though political opportunism is fairly rampant in government at all levels, to suggest the renaming of the airport in Stanfield’s memory was done for any political purpose is somehow a disservice to the man.

Robert Stanfield was a success in politics because he put people first. It’s one reason why voters, particularly in Nova Scotia, tended to trust him and felt they could relate to him.

It’s a trait that seems to be sadly missing, or severely lacking, in our current politicians. Today’s government leaders could certainly take a page or two from Bob Stanfield’s book.