For one politician in particular, this may be his last Christmas present while in public office.
So let us open Santa’s bag of annual goodwill – presents to Saskatchewan’s provincial politicians – on a good note of thanks to Premier Brad Wall. Thank you for your 18 years of solid public service, including the last 10 as one of Saskatchewan’s most successful premiers.
That Wall can now be legitimately mentioned in the company of Walter Scott and Tommy Douglas is likely reward enough for him.
That his lasting legacy will likely be one of growth, strength in the resource sector and a solid recovery and rebuilding of Saskatchewan agriculture is a gift to us all.
To his counterpart, interim NDP Leader Nicole Sarauer, thank you for your fine work pushing for better laws for women trying to leave abusive relations. Sarauer demonstrated that a young woman can lead with grace, dignity and effectiveness in the sadly still man’s world of politics. She has a bright future ahead of her.
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Also, let us find something in Santa’s bag for both of those vying to become her successor. Both NDP leadership hopefuls Trent Wotherspoon and Ryan Meili have conducted themselves with decorum in the kind of race where good grace can be the first casualty.
In that similar vein, congratulations to all five declared Saskatchewan Party leadership hopefuls letting their name stand for the top job and also the two candidates who gracefully bowed out.
To Tina Beaudry-Mellor and Alanna Koch, thank you for showing the province the value of women candidates in the form of two very different campaigns. Koch’s is largely about party establishment and support from agriculture-based groups and Beaudry-Mellor’s is a long-shot candidacy with urban support. But both have shown us the diversity in the province and this party.
Thanks to Scott Moe for demonstrating the importance of strong caucus and rural voices in this race.
Thanks to Ken Cheveldayoff for emphasizing that success requires both urban and rural support.
And thanks to Gord Wyant for reminding us that no party can be successful unless the flaps of the big tent are wide open to everyone. Wyant’s campaign reminds us that the Sask. Party needs both traditional Conservatives and Liberals as an alternative to the NDP.
But lest their contributions be forgotten, thanks to Jeremy Harrison’s short-lived campaign that underscored legitimate questions about his government’s handling of the Global Transportation Hub. As someone who was part of that government, this could not have been easy.
And thanks to former Conservative MP Rob Clarke, who also raised these important concerns critical of his party, while reminding an entire party and province the views and needs of First Nations people should not be forgotten.
Let us also find something in Santa’s bag for those in the Sask. Party government cabinet who did good work – often under the tough conditions of taking on added workloads because of the leadership.
To Deputy Premier and Labour Minister Don Morgan, a special thanks for his solid contribution to new laws supporting women trying to leave abusive relationships.
Let us also hear it for current Finance Minister Donna Harpauer and her predecessor Kevin Doherty. This was neither the best nor most popular budget Saskatchewan will see, but it took real political courage to make some of the tough choices that were made. Folding the money-losing Saskatchewan Transportation Company was one and Crown Investment Corp. Minister Joe Hargrave deserves similar praise.
The same should be said for Environment Minister Dustin Duncan (and predecessor, Moe) for leading the charge against the federal Liberal government’s carbon tax.
Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart is a perennial on this list, but let us just wish him, Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit and Advanced Education Minister Herb Cox the gift of good health.
To all, a Merry Christmas and happy 2018.
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