Brad Wall has announced he will step down as both the province’s Premier, and as leader of the Saskatchewan Party.
“This November will mark 10 years since I had the incredible honour of being elected as Premier of this wonderful province that I love,” Wall said via social media Thursday. “I’ve always thought that the 10 year mark – should I be so fortunate to serve that long - might be the right time to re-evaluate.
“Together with Tami, (his wife), I have decided that now is the time for renewal – for my party, for the government, for the province. It’s time for me to retire from politics.”
Wall said it was not a decision which came easily.
“This was such a difficult decision to make,” he said. “It is hard to lay this duty down, to retire from what has been and what will always be the honour of my working life.
“But it is time.”
Wall said he has told the Saskatchewan Party to begin the process of electing a new leader, who will become the next Premier, adding he will continue to serve as Premier until the new leader is chosen.
The announcement was seen as something of a surprise.
“I don’t think it’s out of nowhere. I’ve heard rumblings,” offered Yorkton Mayor Bob Maloney. “… It is surprising, but I wouldn’t say shocking. But it is surprising.”
Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit said there was uncertainty regarding whether Wall would run in another provincial election.
“People were always speculating whether Brad was going to run in the next election,” he said, adding that he chose to step down was not a major surprise.
As would be expected Wall’s announcement brought numerous comments thanking him for his efforts on behalf of the province.
“I want to congratulate the Premier for his service,” said Maloney in an interview with Yorkton This Week. “Being Premier is never an easy job.
“Being Premier, it’s a difficult job. How long can someone do that job? It’s always trying,” said Maloney.
The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) thanked him for his years of service, and looks forward to continued work with the provincial government.
“As a non-partisan organization, SUMA has had the pleasure of working with many premiers since our inception more than a century ago,” said SUMA President Gordon Barnhart in a prepared release. “We appreciate Premier Wall’s engagement with our organization during his time in Saskatchewan politics. SUMA will continue to work on behalf of Saskatchewan’s hometowns with his successor and all those who follow.”
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities’ (SARM) President Ray Orb went farther citing the commitment to rural Saskatchewan over the last decade under Wall’s helm.
“Rural municipalities have seen an increase in municipal revenue sharing dollars,” stated Orb in a release. “And adjustments made to the Education Property Tax on agricultural land has had significant impact in our rural communities.”
“Premier Wall is a remarkable ambassador for Saskatchewan, and SARM has experienced good working relations with the Premier and the Saskatchewan Party,” stated Orb.
As the provincial voice of business, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce thanked Premier Brad Wall for his dedication to Saskatchewan. The 10 years he has led this province have brought Saskatchewan into a position of economic growth and stability.
“The leadership provided by Brad Wall has enabled Saskatchewan to grow into the thriving province that it is today. As the provincial Chamber of Commerce, we wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” said Patricia Warsaba, Chair, of the provincial Chamber in a release.
The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce reflected this view. Brent Murdock, president of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, admitted that they had not met since the retirement announcement, but they wish him the best in his future and they have some hopes for his successor.
“He has certainly had a number of accomplishments and he has promoted business in the province. He has been business friendly, and we hope that his successor will also be prone to be pro-business.”
Leader of the Official Opposition Nicole Sarauer released the following statement about the resignation of Brad Wall as Premier of Saskatchewan and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Swift Current.
“Mr. Wall has served the people of Swift Current and the province of Saskatchewan for five terms and anyone who dedicates decades of their life to public service deserves recognition for that work. Even though we come from different political parties, have very different perspectives and disagree on many things, I appreciate the commitment that Mr. Wall has shown and the sacrifices he has made while serving our province,” she said via a release.
Wall said he has told the Saskatchewan Party to begin the process of electing a new leader, who will become the next Premier, adding he will continue to serve as Premier until the new leader is chosen.
Maloney said the timing obviously has the Saskatchewan Party’s future as an element, with enough time “to elect a successor,” in front of the next provincial election.
“For the party it (the timing) was the right thing to do,” he said.
Ottenbreit said by making the announcement now it affords time for whoever the next leader is “to define themselves and for people to get to know them.”
Who that successor will be is certainly unclear, with no one a clear cut favourite.
Maloney said “sometimes there’s a line up waiting to replace a Premier in trouble,” but Wall has remained a popular leader so that is not the case here.
Ottenbreit said he foresees a mix of Cabinet ministers, backbenchers and those not currently in government looking to take a run at the leadership.
Ottenbreit said he has been asked about running himself.
“I can’t say it isn’t something that crossed my mind,” he said, but added given his health, he won’t take the plunge.
“I know what it takes to be Premier. I know what it takes to be leader,” he said.
While remaining confident his health will allow him to carry out his current responsibilities, and to run again in the next election, he won’t tackle a leadership run.
With Wall’s announcement there immediately becomes a question of what his legacy as Premier will be.
Ottenbreit was glowing in his view of just what that legacy is.
“I think he’s been one of, if not the best Premier this province has ever had,” he said.
Ottenbreit said he makes that claimed based on the greatest population growth in the province in 100 years, and the strength of almost any economic indicator one wants to look at.
Certainly population growth was something Wall hit upon in his retirement announcement.
“It’s easy to forget how things were in the province just 10 years ago. Remember the questions we used to ask?” he asked.
“Could our population get over and stay over a million people? Could we put an end to the near certainty that young people would look first to some place outside of Saskatchewan for their future? And why, in a province as blessed with resources and amazing and innovative people as ours, would we have the worst job creation record in all of Canada, as we did just 10 years ago?
“Well, we came to office, some said naively, with a vision and a plan for growth, seeking to put an end to these questions, together with you, the people of Saskatchewan.
“We set a goal of seeing Saskatchewan grow by 100,000 people in 10 years. Some called that impossible.
“Saskatchewan has now grown by 160,000 people during our decade of growth. We are only 40,000 short of 1.2 million people.”
Wall also touched on the economy.
“Today, there are more than 67,000 more jobs in the province than there were 10 years ago,” he said. “And instead of the worst job creation record, Saskatchewan has had Canada’s second-best job creation record during our decade of growth …
“Legislative and regulatory improvements to the business climate have helped. Lower income taxes, lower small and large business taxes, lower education property taxes, have all helped create the Saskatchewan advantage, and a decade of growth.”
Sarauer wasn’t going so far in her praise.
“While Mr. Wall is stepping away, our work as the Official Opposition continues. This is still the same Sask. Party who is punishing Saskatchewan people for Sask. Party mismanagement, scandal and waste with heartless cuts, unfair tax hikes, and desperate sell-offs,” she offered. “The Sask. Party has doubled the number of Saskatchewan people looking for work and, in just five years, they are doubling the province’s debt.
“Even with a new leader, this is still the same Sask. Party that is hurting our kids and loved ones with cuts to our schools and hospitals, making it harder for Saskatchewan families to make ends meet, and putting our Crowns and seniors’ homes on the chopping block.”
In terms of Wall’s legacy, Maloney said it may be less to do with specifics, and more to do with attitude. He said the Premier installed a greater level of pride within the province.
“I think the legacy is an attitude one …. He’s been a cheerleader for the province,” he said, adding in speeches Wall “was always talking about the Saskatchewan advantage and how our province is growing.”
