Christmas. At no time of the year – or at least, at no time during a non-election year – is the spirit of giving so prevalent.
Even old Scrooge-like columnists get caught up in the spirit of the season. So let us commence the one column of the year where I offer nothing but kind words and fellowship to our politicians.
To Premier Brad Wall, the best of the season for another successful year of job and population growth that is at least in some small part due to the role he has played.
Be it lobbying the he has played in the Keystone XL or Energy East pipelines or his call for abolition of the Senate, kudos to Wall for representing us well on the national stage.
And notwithstanding the challenges of rapidly falling oil prices, a Merry Christmas to Finance Minister Ken Krawetz for keeping the budget balanced and government spending in check.
The Canora-Pelly MLA announced his plans to retire after the next election. His services will be missed along with soon-to-retire rural colleagues June Draude (Kelvington-Wadena), Bob Bjornerud (Melville-Saltcoats), Don Toth (Moosomin) and Yogi Hugyhebaert (Wood River).
Across the aisle on the Opposition benches, NDP Opposition leader Cam Broten kept the government's feet to the fire on key issues like problems in nursing homes, smart meters catching fire and the concern of wasted dollars on the John Black and Associates lean contract.
Broten was helped by his small nine-person caucus, especially his deputy opposition leader Trent Wotherspoon, who worked diligently in his capacity as finance and economic critic. Also, congratulations to both on the arrivals in 2014 of their new daughter and son, respectively.
Perhaps no minister bore the brunt pointed opposition questions more than Health Minister Dustin Duncan, who certainly deserves a round of Christmas cheer for keeping a level head and even temper in the face of tough questioning on the lean health program and nursing home problems.
For as troubling as the nursing home issues have been in particular, Duncan has always come across as sincerely wanting answers to the troubling shortfalls in care. Also, congratulations to Duncan on the arrival of his son Jack this year.
Economy Minister Bill Boyd clearly deserves something under this tree for the forthright way he took on both the federal government and the railways on the question of grain movement last winter. Also, not steaming ahead with an unpopular new Surface Rights Act was a wise move.
Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart clearly deserves similar kudos for his no-nonsense approach on the grain handling and other related agriculture issues. Along with our thanks, let us also offer Stewart a Christmas wish for good health and happiness in the struggles that he and his family endured in 2014.
To new rural ministers, Scot Moe (Environment) and Greg Ottenbreit (Rural and Remote Health), congratulations for their promotions and best wishes in dealing with their challenges.
The same should be said for former rural and remote health minister Tim McMillan who has moved on to the oil sector in Calgary. Congratulations are also in order to Colleen Young who has now replaced him as MLA for Lloydminster.
To new Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer, who faces one of the more challenging portfolios, we should wish the best of luck. In fact, let us toast her with some spirits from her last portfolio, liquor and gaming, where she deserves Christmas cheer for bringing our antiquated liquor laws into the 21st Century.
Harpauer now must pass on the challenge to new Highways and Liquor and Gaming Minister Don McMorris, who must now sort through the divisions in how our booze may sold in the future.
To all of our elected officials and those of you who voted for them, the best of the season and a happy 2015.
