REGINA - Another member of the legislature has announced he is resigning his seat.
MLA for Lumsden-Morse Lyle Stewart stood in the Assembly at the start of proceedings Monday to announce he was resigning, effective on Friday.
"All good things have to come to an end," Stewart said in remarks in the assembly.
"It has been a great privilege and the greatest honour of my life to be elected to this place six times."
"It was my intention to finish out this term at which time I would have put in 25 years of service as an MLA. Due to my health concerns it appears I will not be able to serve my constituents in the way that I have in the past. As I said, they have sent me here six times, Mr. Speaker, and they deserve my best. Accordingly, I stand in my place today to resign my seat at the end of business on Friday. I need to spend more of the time that I have left with my grandchildren and my dear friend Juanita."
Stewart had served previously in cabinet as Minister of Agriculture, as Minister of Enterprise, and in roles as legislative secretary to the Premier. Last fall, he lost that latter role in the Legislature following a controversial invite of convicted murderer Colin Thatcher to the Speech from the Throne.
In speaking to reporters following Question Period, Premier Scott Moe said his first concern was for Stewart's personal health.
"The second thing is this is an individual that has served over two decades as a public representative. Nobody serves flawlessly, none of us, most certainly. But Lyle has served very much with understanding what that service means and who you represent in this place, and who you represent in his time as a minister."
Premier Moe said caucus was not only losing an individual with 23 and a half years of experience, but also someone who was "able to convey a thought in very few words" in public and in caucus.
"Lyle didn't speak a lot, and even when he did speak he didn't go on at great length, but he got his point across." Moe called Stewart a "loyal man, and we lose that example around the table as well."
With Stewart's departure, it brings to two the number of vacancies in the Legislature, as Regina Coronation Park MLA Mark Docherty also resigned his seat last month.
A byelection must be called within six months of Stewart's resignation. Moe told reporters he needs to give some thought in the next few days and weeks as to when byelections would happen.
