It was a much more low-key nomination meeting this time for Battlefords MLA Herb Cox.
After two previous contested nomination battles in 2006 and 2010, Cox had a far less stressful evening last Wednesday at the Tropical Inn as he won the Saskatchewan Party nomination for the Battlefords, unopposed.
The meeting also drew far fewer people than the last time a nomination meeting was held in the same venue. In 2010, over 300 party members gathered as Cox won the nomination over Battleford mayor Chris Odishaw.
Only about one-tenth of that total showed up this time, and the meeting was far shorter, but it was still considered a good turnout for a non-contested nomination meeting.
Cox's acceptance came more in the form of an update of his government activities and duties as opposed to a formal speech.
He talked about the spring legislative session, touching on the controversy over the Lean initiative and the four-year $40 million contract with John Black and Associates. Cox defended the Lean contract in his remarks.
"In the first two years, we've saved more money than we will spend over the four years of $40 million," Cox said.
As for opposition criticisms, "some of the stuff that they brought up, you have to shake your head."
He pointed to one criticism from the NDP about Christmas trees being thrown out of Moose Jaw Hospital as part of Lean.
As it turned out, the trees were actually thrown out in 2006, "when the NDP was in power," Cox noted.
The Battlefords MLA also talked about changes coming to the new children's hospital due to the growing population of the province. He highlighted familiar Saskatchewan Party accomplishments including the recent provincial budget and infrastructure spending, as well as local announcements such as for the new Saskatchewan Hospital, pocket housing in North Battleford and affordable housing on 11th Avenue.
Cox also talked of his duties in the legislature on the caucus management committee, public accounts committee and his recent appointment as legislative secretary for First Nations and Métis Relations. He is now active in the Pacific North West Economic Region as its delegate for Saskatchewan.
He noted changes coming to the caucus after the upcoming election. A number of party veterans including Ken Krawetz, June Draude and Bob Bjornerud will be retiring at that time.
"We're going to have a changing of the guard before the next election," said Cox, who paid tribute to those original veterans who were part of the Saskatchewan Party during its formation in 1997.
"The courage they must have had when they formed this party, it's phenomenal," said Cox.
He also welcomed the addition of "new blood" after the next election. "It's going to be a different party after 2016," said Cox.
With the legislative session now over, Cox has plans to head to Ottawa in the next several days with meetings set with Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.
Cox spoke of "continuing to pound on our neighbours to the south with respect to COOL (country of origin labelling)," which he noted is an issue back before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Cox also plans to head to a PNWER summit in British Columbia, but intends to spend much of his time in the riding at his constituency office.
Further party events are also in the works for the Battlefords, with plans for Premier Brad Wall to be in the riding for a Saskatchewan Party barbecue later this summer.
