The spring session of the legislature is over, and with it ends the active legislative career of Cut Knife-Turtleford MLA Michael Chisholm.
Chisholm will continue as MLA until the November provincial election, but Thursday, May 19 was his final day in the legislature as the spring session came to a close. He was among seven retiring MLAs from both the Saskatchewan Party and New Democratic Party to rise to give their farewell addresses in the legislature that day.
In his final remarks in the legislature Chisholm thanked his constituents in Cut Knife-Turtleford, thanked his constituency office staff and gave thanks to the speaker, the clerk, the caucus office, support staff in the legislature and the civil service. He also thanked Premier Brad Wall, fellow caucus members and colleagues in the legislature, and finally, his family for their support and encouragement.
Chisholm noted that when he first was elected to the legislature in 2003, out-migration from Saskatchewan was a particular concern.
"Our children were leaving the province to explore opportunities that were simply not available here. Now we are experiencing in-migration, and the province is able to recruit and retain those young people that will be the future of Saskatchewan."
He went on to say the province is now "leading our nation in economic growth and has become the place to be rather than the place to be from. Mr. Speaker, I take no personal credit for these positive changes in our province, but I can be assured that these are exciting times for the province of Saskatchewan."
He wrapped up his remarks by saying "in my first opportunity to address this assembly, I said I am not a man of many words. The constituents of the new riding of Cut Knife-Turtleford, my community, and my family know that, and I thank them for understanding that. And with that, Mr. Speaker, I say thank you and farewell."
Chisholm elaborated some more on his comments in the legislature in speaking with the Regional Optimist this week.
"I really thought things had changed a lot since 2003 when I decided to run," said Chisholm. "At that point in time the province of Saskatchewan was relying on the federal government and federal government partners to keep our province afloat. Now as a leader of the economy in our country that's completely turned around."
Chisholm pointed to his own involvement in the Energy Council and the Pacific Northwest Enterprise Region as personal highlights during his two terms - two areas the premier had asked him to work on.
"We're now full members of those organizations, actually leading them," said Chisholm, who said Saskatoon will be hosting a PNWER summit in 2012. He plans to stay active in that organization after his term finishes this fall.
He admits the last day in the legislature was somewhat emotional, but said it was tempered by the fact he had made his final decision not to run for re-election a year or two earlier, so he was ready for it.
"Still, you're going to miss the place and miss the people in the building," said Chisholm, who noted he gained a lot of respect for the public service during his time in office. He said he was impressed with the various ministries in their efforts to make things better for people.
As far as the session went, Chisholm said the government was happy with the way things went. They brought down a budget that was "one of only two balanced budgets in the whole Dominion of Canada," said Chisholm.
As well, they finished up on the education property tax cut that was promised two years before, which will be "a big benefit to agricultural landowners," as well as the cost-sharing with municipalities where they receive a full one per cent of GST.
Chisholm was also pleased to see the province join with Alberta in the STARS air ambulance helicopter program. He was also glad to see the announcement of new affordable housing projects in the province, while at the same time saying no to rent controls, which Chisholm says do not work.
As for the immediate future, Chisholm says he plans to continue to be around and attend functions in the coming months as he finishes up his term as MLA. He doesn't see himself doing much active campaigning in the fall, however, but said he "might give a hand to some of our colleagues."
