By meadowlakeNOW

Meadow Lake MLA announces bid for Sask. Party leadership

Aug 19, 2017 | 1:12 PM

Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison has decided to put his name forward for a chance to be Saskatchewan’s next premier.

The longtime MLA confirmed his bid for Saskatchewan Party leadership Saturday morning at the Meadow Lake Golf Course flanked by supporters and attendees at his annual fundraising golf tournament.

“Premier Brad Wall has been the steadfast and charismatic captain of our team for the past decade, providing incredible leadership to help grow our economy,” Harrison said. 

He said he spoke with caucus and party colleagues before making the decision, saying the feedback was “very encouraging” and “extraordinarily positive.” Consultation within his family was also a top priority. He and his wife, Alaina, have two children – eight-year-old MacGregor and six-year-old Finnley. 

“As for the family component, that was probably the toughest part of the decision,” he said. “Eliana is very supportive, the kids are pretty excited. They’re pretty used to all that comes along with public life, they’re troopers, and we’re ready to go.”

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In a media release this afternoon, the Saskatchewan Party announced the date of the leadership convention as Jan. 27, 2018 in Saskatoon. The leader will be selected via a one-member, one-vote voting system.

Harrison said he’s enthusiastic about the process. 

“Largely we’re looking to reach out to as many people as we can,” he said. “That means selling as many memberships as we can, because members  are the ones who are going to have the opportunity for who the party leader is and the party leader becomes premier.”

He plans to meet with people around the province and continue to advance the province economically. 

“I want to make sure the province continues to be strong and is continuing to grow,” he added, before taking aim at the federal Liberal government’s carbon tax.

“We’re going to be standing foursquare against a federal carbon tax, it would be devastating for our economy. I’m going to be continuing to use every tool at our disposal so that there will no carbon tax that’s going to be imposed on Saskatchewan.”

Making the announcement in Meadow Lake was essential for Harrison, as he grew up in the community and has been involved in politics in the region for years.

“A lot of the folks that were here showing their support today have been doing so for nearly 20 years now. I wanted to make sure they were the first to hear, every one of them volunteered it’s very humbling. I just wanted to be here, this is home,” he said.

Alaina said she and the children are happy to support Jeremy.

“We talked about it, and it was a not a decision we took lightly as a family,”  she said. 

“Even the kids had their say. In the end, we realize that this was the right thing to do, he felt like he needed to put his name forward and we supported him with that.”

Harrison is joined only by Regina University MLA Tina Beaudry-Millor in the hunt for the top job after Premier Brad Wall announced earlier this month he is set to retire from politics but will stay on unitl a new leader is selected.

Harrison was first elected as the MLA for Meadow Lake in 2007. He has sat at the helm of numerous portfolios including most recently as Minister of the Economy, Minister Responsible for Tourism, Innovation, Trade, and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority among other positions. He previously served as a federal MP in 2004 to 2006.

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath