It's official: Herb Cox is now on the job as MLA for the Battlefords.
Cox was sworn in at a ceremony in the legislative assembly Nov. 30, along with the rest of the grand total of 49 Saskatchewan Party MLAs.
"Being in the same room with these people is totally humbling," said Cox about taking his seat in the legislative assembly, after winning the Nov. 7 election over former MLA Len Taylor.
In all, 15 of the Sask. Party MLAs are brand-new, including Larry Doke of Cut Knife-Turtleford and Scott Moe of Rosthern-Shellbrook.
Cox was joined at the swearing-in ceremony by his wife Linda as well as several members of his family, including his brother, sister and mother from Manitoba. Friends from the Battlefords were also there to lend support.
The usual pomp and circumstance of a swearing-in ceremony proved emotional for the new MLA.
"When you stand in there and hear O Canada and God Save the Queen, it just tears you up," said Cox.
After he swore his oath and signed the roll, Cox took his seat in the legislature for the first time, which proved another overwhelming experience for him.
He calls being on the floor of the legislature a "totally different experience." He had seen debates in the legislature live from the gallery, but to be "part of the process and sitting in the seat with my colleagues is a wonderful experience."
Cox spent part of his first day as MLA showing his family around the legislative assembly, which he says impressed his relatives from Manitoba.
"We just had to show them we have a better leg building than they do," joked Cox.
While last Wednesday marked the first official day for Cox as an MLA, Monday marked the first day of the fall session of the new legislature.
The first order of business for the new MLAs Monday morning was voting on a new Speaker. Longtime Cannington MLA Dan D'Autremont was elected to fill that role, replacing the former Speaker Don Toth.
Cox found that experience interesting because, from what he gathered from the other MLAs, such elections are a rare occurrence.
"There hasn't very often been the election of a Speaker," he said. "We think it was a great exercise."
Later in the afternoon, Lt.-Gov. Gordon Barnhart delivered the Speech from the Throne, outlining the government's agenda for the new session. Right after that address was delivered, the legislature was adjourned until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Another major moment for Cox is expected to be his inaugural address in the legislature to respond to the Throne Speech, which he expected would take place on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
"I'm excited about it," said Cox.
A few other aspects of his role in the legislature were still to be defined as of Monday, such as possible committee assignments. For his part, Cox says he'll serve in any capacity the premier sees fit.
As well, Cox still has to open up a constituency office. The venue is being renovated over the next two to three weeks, which means Cox will be handling constituency concerns by phone from Regina for the time being.
With the experience of being sworn in and listening to the Throne Speech, Cox says his new role as an MLA "is really a humbling experience every day."
But with every passing day on the job Cox has become more used to the idea he is now representing the Battlefords in the legislature.
"Every day it definitely becomes more realistic," said Cox. "The people of the Battlefords have placed their trust in me and it makes me more determined to earn that trust every day."
