Alexander McInnes (Mac) Runciman was born in Invergordon,
Ross-shire, Scotland, on October 8, 1914.
Mr. Runciman’s family immigrated to Canada in 1928 and settled on
a farm near Balcarres, Saskatchewan. Mr. Runciman farmed until 1940 when
he joined the Canadian Army; he served overseas until the spring of 1945,
rising to the rank of Subconductor of Ordnance (Acting), which at the time
was among the highest ranks of non-commissioned officers in the army.
After the war, Mr. Runciman returned to farming near Abernethy, Saskatchewan.
He married Marjorie Dick in 1949 and they have two daughters, Dorothy and
Cathy.
In 1955, Mr. Runciman was elected a director of United Grain Growers
(UGG) and served as President of UGG from 1961 to 1981.
Mr. Runciman was the first President of the Rapeseed Association
of Canada (now known as the Canola Council of Canada) from 1967 to 1971.
He provided vision and stability to this association, helping it to develop
into a world-renowned organization. As well, he was a strong promoter of
canola within Canada and around the world, ensuring that farmers played
an important part in developing what has become one of Canada’s major crops.
In addition to being a Director and Inaugural Chairman of the Canada
Grains Council, Mr. Runciman was involved in a wide variety of agricultural
committees, associations, boards, as well as provincial and federal government
advisory groups. These include Director of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture,
Great Lakes Waterways, Prince Rupert Grain Limited and was actively involved
with the International Federation of Agricultural Producers. He was also
very active in the community; serving on the board of directors of Winnipeg’s
United Way, Victoria Hospital, Rainbow Stage and the University of Manitoba
(including a term as Chair of the Board of Governors).
Throughout his life, Mr. Runciman received numerous honours, including
induction as a member of the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame and
the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1982. In 1983, Mr. Runciman was
appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. He also received honourary
degrees in Doctor of Laws from the Universities of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Mr. Runciman inspired many people. He was outgoing, charming, warm
and affable and had the ability to make everyone he met feel important.
Nominated by the Manitoba Canola Growers
Association and Agricore United
2003
