The longest-serving MLA in the Saskatchewan is having his final day in the Saskatchewan legislature Friday.
The legislative assembly convened for the final time before the upcoming provincial election, scheduled for Oct. 26. Dan D’Autremont, the MLA for the southeast constituency of Cannington and the former speaker of the legislature and a former cabinet minister, is the longest-serving MLA in the assembly. He was first elected in 1991.
Farewell speeches will highlight the day, with tributes from Premier Scott Moe and Opposition Leader Ryan Meili.
“Politics is a partisan calling, but on both sides of the assembly there are people of good will who are motivated by essentially the same thing,” Moe said. “We all love this province. We all want to build a strong, resilient, inclusive Saskatchewan. On behalf of the entire province, I want to thank my departing colleagues for their sacrifice and commitment as we worked together to build a better Saskatchewan.”
Moe noted in his speech that D'Autremont has occupied virtually every seat within the legislature, and paid tribute to D'Autremont for being one of the founding eight MLAs of the Saskatchewan Party.
All of the retiring MLAs have served at least two terms in the legislature.
“These folks are exemplary citizens who have never forgotten why they were elected,” Moe said. “It was a great honour to serve with them. I know MLAs on both sides of the house join me in wishing our colleagues the very best as they begin the next chapter in their life.”
Eleven MLAs – seven from the governing Saskatchewan Party and four from the Opposition New Democratic Party – have announced they are stepping down.
Also leaving on the government side are Nancy Heppner (Martensville-Warman), Greg Brkich (Arm River), Glen Hart (Last Mountain-Touchwood), Herb Cox (The Battlefords), Larry Doke (Cutknife-Turtleford) and Warren Michelson (Moose Jaw North).
Warren McCall (Regina Elphinstone-Centre), David Forbes (Saskatoon Centre), Danielle Chartier (Saskatoon Riversdale) and Cathy Sproule (Saskatoon Nutuna) are the New Democrats stepping down.
The Mercury will have more details as they become available.
