Meili, Moe square off as new political era begins
Cordial tone lasts ‘five minutes’ until rookie NDP leader attacks
Saskatchewan’s politicians ushered in the second sitting of the 28th Saskatchewan legislature on Monday, commencing a new era for both the Saskatchewan Party and the NDP.
It was noticeably different than previous sittings of the legislature, in that the NDP and Sask. Party have new leaders heading their respective caucuses.
A change in tone was noticeably on display, most evidently when Ryan Meili — in his first question as Opposition leader to the new premier — asked where Premier Scott Moe could find “common ground” with the NDP.
With that, the “new approach to politics” Meili repeatedly spoke of during the campaign was in action.
The shadow of former premier Brad Wall was nowhere to be seen in Moe’s response. He, too, went about taking a distinctly different style in answering the question put to him by Meili, by telling his political adversary the two sides could work together. He cited the province’s budgetary constraints and combating issues related to crime, mental health, addictions and poverty through a “wholesome approach” as examples.
One question in and there were no heckles, just the usual drum on the desks from MLAs supporting their leaders. However, the cordial tone was soon on tenuous ground.
Meili asked a question about job growth, pointing out Saskatchewan was the lone province to lose jobs year-to-year in February. This prompted some grumblings from members on the government side, notably when Meili stated the government’s approach to growing the economy was “not working.” He also mentioned the province’s plan to cut more than 1,200 public sector jobs through attrition, prompting further grumbles.
Moe responded by saying “no one will be losing their jobs” and pointing to the growth Saskatchewan has experienced under a decade of Sask. Party rule.
When Meili stood up and said he was talking about the last year, not the last decade, the cordial tone simultaneously went onto life support.
Less than two weeks after resigning his seat in the Saskatchewan legislature, former finance minister and Regina Northeast MLA Kevin Doherty has joined a Calgary-based business consulting firm.
According to an email from Prairie Sky Consulting president and CEO Jeff Sterzuk, obtained by Postmedia News, Doherty will become the agency ’s managing director for Saskatchewan and oversee its operations in the province.
“Kevin’s focus will be on providing strategy development, ongoing strategic counsel, issues management, business development, communications, executive coaching and other services to new and existing clients,” Sterzuk wrote in the email.
In an interview Monday morning, Sterzuk said he has known Doherty for about 30 years through their work in the financial services sector.
He said the former MLA has experience in business development and connections in the private sector.
“He’s a talented individual. He’s well-known, he’s well-respected, he’s connected, so he should be able to help us find some clients,” said Sterzuk, adding that the deal came about because he and Doherty had been “talking a little bit as of late.”
According to its website, Prairie Sky Consulting provides a range of services to small- and mediumsized enterprises, including investment readiness, business development, marketing, stakeholder relations and exit strategies.
Doherty was elected in 2011 and first appointed to cabinet in 2012. He was named finance minister in 2015 and famously delivered the government’s unpopular 2017-18 budget that aimed to halve a $1.2 billion deficit.
The former SaskPower executive was thought to be among the front-runners to replace former Premier Brad Wall, but ultimately declined to enter the Sask. Party’s leadership race. He announced his resignation on March 2.
Sources close to Doherty told the Regina Leader-Post he was offered a position in Premier Scott Moe’s first cabinet, but declined. His resignation was not a surprise to some political watchers, who anticipated a move to the private sector.
Doherty ’s departure is the latest in a series of exits by Sask. Party MLAs.
Corey Tochor is expected to stand for the Conservative Party of Canada in the 2019 federal election, while Warren Steinley is seeking that party’s nomination.