Wall to leap into life after politics with ‘no plans’
Premier taking time to consider options after reaching difficult decision to retire
After much speculation about Brad Wall’s future, the retiring Saskatchewan premier says he has no plans for what he will do next.
It wasn’t long ago there were rumours that Wall would leave to become the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, but that never happened. Briefly, there were rumours he would be named the new CFL commissioner, which also never happened.
Wall himself has said previously he would enjoy being an ambassador, but given his relationship with the current federal government, many see that as unlikely.
On Thursday, Wall told reporters he has “no plans” on what he will do next.
“I don’t have immediate prospects, but there are some things that I’d be interested in doing, that I’ll keep my own counsel on those for now,” he said. “Whatever happens, Tami (his wife) and I ... what you do is very important, especially in the job I’ve had, but there are other things that are more important, and we’re in a very good spot there.”
He first said he was retiring from politics “in Saskatchewan,” but when asked what that meant, clarified he “should have said everywhere.”
That has left many curious to know where Wall will go next. He’s 51 and could find work elsewhere if he chooses. Many expect he’ll be named to a board or to a senior position in the private sector, but it’s possible Wall will disappear altogether into private life after he exits politics.
Wall said he and his wife have been talking about the end of his political life for some time, and arrived at the decision to step away in late June.
“This was such a difficult decision to make,” he said. “It’s hard to lay this duty down, to retire from what has been and what will always be the honour of my working life.”
MLAs were told of the premier’s plans during a caucus retreat on Wednesday.
Wall said while the decision was difficult, he believes a new face will be good for the party.
“You can’t underestimate the positive power of change,” he told reporters Thursday morning. “There’s going to be additional perspectives … I think that’s healthy.”
Wall will carry on as premier until a new leader is chosen, which could happen as early as January.
Wall became Saskatchewan’s 14th premier when he was elected on Nov. 21, 2007, after becoming leader of the Saskatchewan Party in 2004. In the 2011 provincial election, his party won the thirdlargest majority government in the province’s history.
He is perhaps the first premier in Canada to announce a retirement on Facebook. In the live video, Wall pointed to the party’s solid economic record. He also spoke about the reduction in surgical wait times and highlighted income tax reductions.
Later, he told reporters increasing Saskatchewan’s exports as a result of trade missions was one of his proudest accomplishments.
“I’m proud we were able to tell Saskatchewan’s story around the world,” he said.
Wall admitted he and the party have made mistakes in his time as leader, pointing to cutting funding of regional libraries in the 2017-18 budget.
He also said that, while some work has been done on improving graduation and unemployment rates among Indigenous people, there is more to do.
Over the past few months, speculation has been brewing that Wall would step down.
Polls have frequently shown Wall to be Canada’s most popular premier. However, that popularity took a dip after the government announced its 2017-18 budget in March.