Eric Berntson, former Sask. deputy premier, dead at 77

Eric Berntson a long time Saskatchewan and federal politician died Sunday at age 77.

He first entered provincial politics in 1975 when he won the Souris-Cannington riding as a Progressive Conservative.

Berntson served as the Leader of the Opposition from 1979 to 1982 after the newly elected party leader, Grant Devine, did not have a seat.

When Devine became the premier of Saskatchewan in 1982 Berntson was named his deputy.

Following his time in provincial politics, Berntson was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1990 on the advice of Brian Mulroney, the prime minister at the time.

He was on the senate until being charged with fraud in connection to diverting more than $40,000 in government allowances during the Devine era.

Berntson was convicted and sentenced to one year in jail in 1999.

He died in Ottawa on Sept. 23, 2018

Berntson is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years Teuta, three children and a granddaughter along with extended family and friends.