When Donna Harpauer, the MLA for Humboldt-Watrous, learned that Premier Brad Wall was planning to retire, she said she was sad her colleague and friend was moving on.
“It was sad to hear but not a shock,” she said. “He has been projecting that this is what he would probably do, so we knew that this was probably coming at some point.”
Both Harpauer and Wall were first elected in the 1999 provincial election.
“It’s been an honour to serve with Premier Wall,” she said. “I think he’s always said that he wants to leave the province in a better place than when he entered politics and I think he can proudly say he’s accomplished that.”
On the other side of the aisle, Adam Duke, the secretary of the Humboldt-Watrous New Democrats, also recognized Wall’s near-decade as Premier. Wall has been Premier since November 2007.
“We sincerely thank him for his years of service to the province and to his riding of Swift Current. I know that it’s not an easy job,” said Duke, who ran against Harpauer in the last election. “While we disagreed strongly on many ideas that he brought forward, we certainly respect the kind of time he put in serving the province and serving the people of Swift Current.”
Harpauer said that over Wall’s tenure, the province’s population has increased, there’s more jobs, surgical waiting times have been cut and it’s in a good fiscal position despite some pressures on the budget.
“There’s been many good things done and we’re going to stay on track of making Saskatchewan the place that people want to live.”
Duke said the upcoming resignation of the Premier won’t affect what local New Democrats are doing.
“It doesn’t change anything. The budget that we’re standing up against, that was the Sask. Party’s budget, that wasn’t just Brad Wall’s budget,” he said, adding the governing party has scrapped STC, put PST on insurance, is looking at selling part of crown corporations and has increased debt. “It doesn’t really matter if it’s Premier Brad Wall or a different leader from their party, it’s still the same budget. That hasn’t changed and that’s what we need to focus on.”
The Saskatchewan Party has yet to finalize the details of the leadership race to replace Wall, who will stay as Premier until that decision has been made. Harpauer said her party’s in a good position, adding more seats under its banner every election it’s been in government.
“We’re in a very strong position and the leadership race in itself will also generate some excitement, interest and engagement in politics from those that were maybe a little complacent between elections, and we’re going to ensure we stay strong and growing.”
Harpauer said she will not be running for the leadership.
