S. Robert Blair
S. Robert Blair | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sidney Robert Blair Template:Birth date Trinidad |
| Died | April 18, 2009 (aged 79) North Vancouver, Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Business executive, chemical engineer |
| Years active | 1951–1991 |
| Known for | President and chairman of Alberta Gas Trunk Line Company Limited (later NOVA Corporation) |
Sidney Robert "Bob" Blair (August 13, 1929 – April 18, 2009) was a prominent Canadian figure in the oil sector who played a key role in advancing Alberta's petroleum industry. Between 1970 and 1986, he held the position of president at Alberta Gas Trunk Line Company Limited (which later became NOVA Corporation), guiding its evolution from a provincial gas transmission utility into a diversified leader in energy and chemical production. A staunch advocate for Canadian economic sovereignty, Blair frequently opposed foreign-controlled major corporations. During the 1970s, he also spearheaded the ultimately unsuccessful initiative to construct the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.
Biography
Blair was born in Trinidad to parents Sidney Martin Blair and Janet Russell Gentleman, coming from a lineage deeply involved in the oil business. His father, originally from Parry Sound, Ontario, was a Scottish Presbyterian with advanced academic credentials who specialized in oil and aviation fuel supply. Throughout Blair's childhood, the family relocated multiple times across Trinidad, England, Canada, and the United States.
He received his secondary education at Choate School in Connecticut and subsequently obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Queen's University at Kingston in 1951. Blair began his professional journey as a field engineer working on pipeline and refinery projects from 1951 to 1958. In 1959, he joined Alberta and Southern Gas Company Limited, concentrating on operational management and procurement. He was promoted to executive vice-president of Alberta Gas Trunk Line Company Limited in December 1969 and ascended to the presidency in September 1970. Blair took on the role of chairman in 1985 before retiring in 1991.
Blair was recognized for his candid communication style and rejection of industry elitism, favoring direct interaction with communities impacted by corporate activities. After his retirement, he entered politics as a Liberal candidate during the 1993 federal election for Calgary Centre but finished second. He also represented Canada as commissioner general at Expo 2000. His achievements were honored through his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1980, followed by elevation to Companion status in 1985.
In his personal life, Blair married Lois Anne Wedderburn in 1953; the couple had five children before divorcing in 1978. He died in North Vancouver in 2009.
Further reading
- S. Robert Blair, "Positive Nationalism for Canada" (address delivered to the Empire Club of Canada on November 19, 1981)