DON’T CALL BRAD WALL ‘ONE OF THOSE LEADERS WHO WOULDN’T LISTEN’
Retiring premier’s chief of operations reflects on a decade in the halls of power
Kathy Young has known Premier Brad Wall for almost 30 years, and has spent the last decade as his chief of operations and communications — working behind the scenes to keep the government running. On Friday, she spoke with the Saskatoon StarPhoenix about her experiences in government with Wall.
Q: When did you meet Brad Wall? Did you have a sense at the time that he would go on to become premier?
A: I think it was 1989 (when I met Brad Wall). Right around there. I met (longtime Wall friend and adviser) Reg Downs at the same time. I remember thinking these are two of the most brilliant and funny people I’ve ever met in my life. A couple of years later I had had a party at my house. Brad and Reg were both there, and there was a point where Brad was sitting on my couch … I said to him, ‘You should be premier of this province someday.’ At the time, he just laughed and shook it off.
Q: Saskatchewan over the last 10 years has benefited from factors such as commodity prices that are beyond anyone’s control. How much of the growth we have seen over that period is attributable to Wall?
A: He would be very humble about it, but I think quite a bit. Everything from changes to SINP for immigration — those are changes the government brought in that have helped grow our population. Changes we made to taxation levels have helped create jobs. Him telling the Saskatchewan story around the world has opened up massive new markets to Saskatchewan exports. Those things are directly attributable to him, and to steps that his government has taken.
Q: Looking back, how did you and other members of the inner circle help shape and guide his thoughts, and ultimately what he put forward as policy?
A: I like to think of all of us — his senior staff — as not just good friends, but as advisers. Our premier was never one of those leaders who wouldn’t take advice, or who wouldn’t listen. I would say 90 per cent of the time we agreed exactly on what should be done. There would be disagreements on how we should get something done. However, it helps that we’re good friends and we respect one another.
Q: What was the high point over the last 10 years for you?
A: I would say, overall, the increase in population, the fact that (that increase) grows our economy and tax base, and we were able to take 114,000 lowincome earners off the tax rolls. The fact that we were able to do away with the wait list for people with intellectual and physical disabilities that were waiting for the dignity of a home. Lowering taxes. All those kinds of things are highlights. The overall attitude of change and growth, and what we’ve been able to do for the less fortunate — there are just so many things, I can’t even choose.
Q: On the other hand, what was the most difficult moment or conversation you had over the last decade?
A: There are always going to be tough moments. I would say dealing with the La Loche (school) shooting, because it was such a tragedy. And when we lost Lisa (Strang, a longtime Sask. Party employee who was murdered in August 2015). Those kinds of things really put politics, and the rest of life, in perspective.
Q: What was something this government and premier did that was not popular, but that you would do again the same way?
A: I would say this budget. We knew this budget wasn’t going to be popular, but we’re not going to do what Alberta is doing and have a $19-billion deficit in the coming years. The premier said, ‘That’s not our brand, that’s not good for Saskatchewan, and we’re so not doing that.’
Q: You’ve been fielding calls from reporters for 10 years now. How has working with the news media in this province changed over that time?
A: You have to be on call all the time. You never know if there’s going to be a flood or a forest fire or some incident — there are just so very many things. As far as dealing with (the) media, I think what’s changed is that we live in a digital world, much more so than 10 years ago. It’s immediate. All of the media outlets … have to get these things out immediately.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: Well, right now I plan to continue doing exactly what I’m doing — briefing the premier every morning and being his chief of operations in government. When we get a new leader, maybe someone might want a change (with) what I’m doing, maybe they won’t, but this isn’t something I’m going to do forever, that’s for sure. One thing I know I’ll do is get some more sleep.