Stewart exits cabinet to focus on cancer fight
Lyle Stewart, who has served as the province’s minister of agriculture for the past six years, is stepping down from the position to focus on his battle with cancer.
On Thursday he said he has “no doubt between my own personal stubbornness and a great team of health care professionals that we’ll win this battle, but Saskatchewan agriculture deserves a full-time minister that is really up to the job.”
He plans to remain as MLA for Lumsden-morse and Premier Scott Moe said Stewart would “continue to be a strong voice” in government.
In 2014, Stewart went to Ottawa to undergo treatment for advanced prostate cancer, which he beat.
Now he has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, which the MLA concedes will be a “little tougher fight, but we’ll be fine.”
If there is one well-established characteristic of the long-standing ag minister, it is perhaps his toughness. In 2009, he made news after fighting off a would-be car jacker.
While he was holding the assailant, Stewart was stabbed in the hand and wrist with pens and pencils that were in the vehicle
Stewart has shown the same steady-handed demeanour in his role as ag minister. He is one of the most, if not the most, well-respected minister on either sides of the Legislative Assembly.
The reverence his colleagues show for him was on full display Thursday in comments from Moe.
“Lyle is a close friend of mine and someone that I have just tremendous respect for as he’s been not only one of my closest colleagues, friends in caucus and cabinet,” he said. “He’s been a mentor over the last seven years I’ve had the opportunity to serve in the government of Saskatchewan.”
Best wishes for Stewart and his family began pouring in immediately after news of his cancer became public.
“As Minister Lyle Stewart begins his fight against cancer, I thank him for his diligent work as Minister of Agriculture and extend my best wishes to him and his family during this difficult time,” wrote NDP leader Ryan Meili online.
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association wrote, “Wishing Lyle Stewart strength and good luck through this battle. Thank you for your close working relationship, excellent leadership and commitment to Agriculture over the past 6 years.”
Stewart was first elected as MLA for Thunder Creek in 1999 and has been re-elected in each election since. He has a wife, three adult children and six grandchildren.
Moe will likely tap a new agriculture minister next week. The premier has a bevy of caucus members with strong rural ties. Former economy minister Steve Bonk or current Government Relations Minister Warren Kaeding are two early favourites for the position, although party members were hesitant to speculate immediately following the announcement.