Five people now vying to replace Brad Wall as Saskatchewan premier

REGINA The race to replace Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall grew by two on Monday with the entry of the province’s top civil servant and a veteran MLA.

Alanna Koch, the premier’s former deputy minister, and former parks minister Ken Cheveldayoff joined former social services minister Tiny Beaudry-Mellor, former economy minister Jeremy Harrison and former justice minister Gord Wyant in the race.

Koch, who has mainly worked in agriculture, says her goal is to “stay on the path that Brad Wall has started.”

That includes an austerity budget delivered in March which was — by Wall’s own admission — unpopular with voters because of cuts that were made to help tackle a $1.3-billion deficit from last year.

“I don’t intend to distance myself from what the government’s done. I’ve been working with the government and so I absolutely believe in what Brad Wall has been doing,” Koch said when she made her leadership announcement at a farm just south of Regina.

“We’re on a very good path in this province. Yes, there were tough choices in the budget, absolutely. But you know, we have to be fiscally responsible.” Saskatoon-based Cheveldayoff was first elected in 2003.

Since the Sask. Party took power in 2007, “Chevy,” as he is known by family and friends, has been minister in several portfolios including Crown corporations, enterprise, trade, environment and, most recently, parks, culture and sport.

Cheveldayoff said he grew up on a farm in Blaine Lake and feels he is best for both rural and urban Saskatchewan.

Also on Monday, the government said Scott Moe had resigned as environment minister and indicated he would have an announcement later this week.

The Saskatchewan Party has said the nomination filing deadline for candidates is Nov. 24.