A long time Sask. Party MLA has announced he is retiring for health reasons. On the first day of the spring session of the Legislature, Lyle Stewart, MLA for Lumsden-Morse said it had been his intention to finish out his term, meaning he would have been able to reach that 25-year milestone, but his condition has worsened in recent weeks so he doesn’t feel he can serve the residents like he has in the past. He stated that residents voted him in six times, and they deserve him at his best. Stewart has been living with prostate cancer for a number of years.

Premier Scott Moe says he will miss working with Stewart and thanked him for his service to his constituents, the government, and the province. “Lyle was a great Ag minister, always standing up for Saskatchewan producers and initiating many of the great trade relationships we have today. But first and foremost, he has been a dedicated and hard-working MLA, always looking out for the best interests of the people he serves.”

Stewart was first elected in 1999. In 2004, he served briefly as Interim Leader of the Sask Party and Leader of the Opposition. In government, Stewart served as Minister of Enterprise and Innovation, Minister of Agriculture, Provincial Secretary and Legislative Secretary responsible for Provincial Autonomy. His last day is Friday.  Another long time Sask. Party MLA, Mark Docherty, stepped down as MLA for Regina-Coronation Park last month, so there will be two by-elections coming up in the next six months.