It was stunning news in provincial politics this weekend, as deputy premier Don McMorris resigned from cabinet and left the government caucus after being charged with driving while impaired.
McMorris was stopped by police Friday en route to Regina. He resigned Saturday, saying in a statement he was sorry to his family, colleagues and the people of Saskatchewan. He also said he would be seeking counselling.
Premier Brad Wall expressed his disappointment with McMorris’s actions in speaking to reporters Saturday and again Monday.
“Very disappointed. This was a terrible decision that he made,” he said to reporters in Regina, adding “drinking and driving risks and ruins lives.”
It was also revealed Monday that McMorris had been driving a government vehicle at the time he was pulled over.
On Monday, Premier Wall appointed Jim Reiter to replace McMorris as Minister responsible for Crown Investments Corporation (CIC), Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) on an interim basis. This is in addition to his responsibilities as Minister of Government Relations, Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for SaskEnergy and SaskTel.
“Jim Reiter has been a strong and capable minister for our government in all of the portfolios he has held and I know he will do a good job of handing these additional duties,” Wall said.
The appointment is on an interim basis until a cabinet shuffle that Premier Wall has confirmed will happen in a few weeks. As well, Wall is not naming a replacement as Deputy Premier until that cabinet shuffle.
The responsibilities Reiter takes on are important ones due to the changes in liquor distribution that have been introduced. The province is currently in the process of accepting requests for proposals for up to 50 new private liquor stores in the province. Forty of those are to replace public liquor stores, including the one in Battleford.
