Resignation won’t prompt automatic byelection

Prince Albert Carlton MLA Darryl Hickie has resigned, saying the time is right for him to return to policing.

His resignation takes effect March 9, just 40 months and two days after he was re-elected in the 2011 provincial election.

His resignation will not automatically trigger a byelection, as would have happened if he had resigned prior to the 40-month mark.

Hickie said Friday he decided to stay with his elected position because he didn’t want to be responsible for triggering a $300,000 byelection.

“The premier can still call one if he so chooses. That’s up to him now,” Hickie said.

Hickie, 50, was first elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. He served as minister for corrections, public safety and policing from 2007 until 2009. More recently, he chaired a review of the province’s traffic safety rules.

Hickie announced in April 2014 that he would not run again and intended to return to his job with the Prince Albert Police Service.

He came under fire from the Opposition after he returned to the police force in May, while still serving as an MLA.

“On the face of it, it seems to present a situation where he has two jobs paid for by the taxpayer. It just doesn’t seem right,” Justice critic John Nilson said in June.

Nilson also said there was potential for conflicts between Hickie’s work for constituents as an MLA and the investigations he conducts as a police officer.

Premier Brad Wall noted that Hickie received approval from the conflict of interest commissioner for his reinstatement, but agreed that Hickie would have to choose between the two.

Hickie said Friday he originally thought he was capable of renewing his qualifications as a police officer while serving his constituents.

“Upon it being brought up publicly by the NDP, the Opposition, I paused and reflected on what they mentioned and I had to respect that. I was in fact taking two public salaries,” he said.

Hickie will return to active duty with the Prince Albert police when his resignation takes effect.

With the next election expected in April 2016, Prince Albert will continue to be well represented by MLAs Victoria Jurgens (Prince Albert Northcote) and Scott Moe (Rosthern Shellbrook), Hickie said.

NDP leader Cam Broten said Hickie’s departure “really doesn’t change a whole lot for the people of P.A. because Hickie hasn’t been doing a good job of being their voice for many years now.

“It’s been clear that he’s been checked out and not interested in being an MLA,” Broten said.

“As an opposition we’ll continue to be in Prince Albert a lot in the community listening to what the priorities and needs are in P.A. and being their voice in the legislature.”