Dossier F 419-10-2.2 - [Department Operations Manual - Managing Downsizing]

Lorne Henry Hepworth was born on December 20, 1947 in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan to Henry and Eileen Hepworth. He attended rural schools and high school in Assiniboia. Hepworth attended the University of Regina from 1965 to 1967 and earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1971.

Prior to his entry into politics, Hepworth worked as a veterinarian with Hepworth-Pulfer Veterinary Services in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. He was involved with the Saskatchewan and Canadian Veterinary Medical Associations, the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce and the Weyburn Agricultural Society. Hepworth also operated a family farm near Assiniboia.

Hepworth was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1982 and served as a Progressive Conservative MLA for the Weyburn constituency until 1991. Hepworth served in the Grant Devine Government as Minister of Agriculture (1983-1985); Minister of Energy and Mines (1985-1986); Minister of Advanced Education and Manpower (1986-1987); Minister of Education (1986-1989); Minister of Public Participation (1989-1990); and Minister of Finance (1989-1991).

Hepworth's ministerial responsibilities included Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation (1983-1985); Agricultural Credit Corporation of Saskatchewan (1983-1985); Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Corporation (1985-1986); Public Service Commission (1986-1989); Teacher's Superannuation Commission (1986-1989); Advanced Technical Training Centre of Saskatchewan Corporation (1986-1989); Provincial Library (1987); Saskatchewan Archives Board (1987); Treasury Board (1989-1991); Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation (1989-1990); Saskatchewan Pension Plan (1989-1991); Public Service Superannuation Board (1989-1991); Saskatchewan Development Fund (1989-1991); Municipal Financing Corporation (1989-1991); Crown Investments Corporation (1990); Future Corporation (1990-1991); and SaskEnergy (1991).

After losing his seat in the 1991 provincial general election to Ronald Joseph Wormsbecker (NDP), Hepworth became Vice-President of the Crop Protection Institute of Canada (1992-1993) and held executive positions with the Canadian Agra group of companies (1993-1997).

Hepworth currently (2006) resides in Toronto, Ontario, where he is President of CropLife Canada, a trade association that represents manufacturers, developers and distributors of pest control products and plant biotechnology (1997-2006).

Hepworth married Fern Presber on December 23, 1970. They have two children: Graeme and Alana.