The Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan collected for the final time on July 3 prior to the provincial election arranged for October 26.聽
When the spring session of the legislature concluded, Premier Scott Moe recognized and expressed thanks to the MLAs who won鈥檛 be running in the next provincial election this October.聽
鈥淧olitics is a partisan calling, but on both sides of the assembly, there are people of goodwill who are motivated by essentially the same thing,鈥� Moe said.
鈥淲e all love this province.聽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.鈥澛�
Eleven MLAs 鈥� seven from the governing Saskatchewan Party and four from the Opposition New Democratic Party 鈥� announced their retirement from provincial politics.聽
Sask. Party departures included Dan D鈥橝utremont (representing Cannington), 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).聽
The retiring New Democrats comprised of Warren McCall (Regina Elphinstone-Centre), David Forbes (Saskatoon Centre), Danielle Chartier (Saskatoon Riversdale) and Cathy Sproule (Saskatoon Nutuna).聽
Farewell speeches would highlight the day, along with accolades from Premier Moe and Opposition Leader Ryan Meili.
All leaving MLAs had fulfilled at least two terms in the legislature.
D鈥檃utremont, the former speaker, was the longest-serving MLA in the assembly and the first to be elected in 1991.聽
鈥淭hese folks are exemplary citizens who have never forgotten why they were elected,鈥� Moe said.聽
鈥淚t was a great honour to serve with them.聽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,鈥� the premier emphasized.
