Pat Atkinson

Patricia "Pat" Atkinson (born September 27, 1952) is a Canadian provincial politician. She was a Saskatchewan New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 1986 to 2011, and is currently the longest-serving female MLA in Saskatchewan's history.

Pat Atkinson
Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly for Saskatoon Nutana
In office June 21, 1995 – October 10, 2011
Preceded by	Herman Rolfes
Succeeded by	Cathy Sproule
In office October 20, 1986 – September 20, 1991
Preceded by	Evelyn Bacon
Succeeded by	Herman Rolfes
Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly for Saskatoon Broadway
In office October 21, 1991 – May 23, 1995
Preceded by	first member
Succeeded by	riding abolished
Personal details
Born	September 27, 1952 Biggar, Saskatchewan
Political party	New Democratic Party

She was born in Biggar, Saskatchewan, the daughter of Roy Atkinson, and received degrees in arts and education from the University of Saskatchewan. She worked as a teacher therapist and school principal for the Radius Community School in Saskatoon. Atkinson also served on the board of the Saskatoon Community Clinic.

She ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Saskatchewan assembly in 1982. Atkinson was first elected in 1986, while the NDP was still in opposition. When the party was elected to government in the 1991 provincial election, she held a number of major cabinet positions, including minister of social services, health, education, Crown corporations, and finance. She was a supporter of Lorne Calvert and helped him win the party leadership in 2001. After the NDP was defeated in the 2007 election, she served as deputy leader of the opposition. Atkinson announced her retirement on January 11, 2011.