REGINA – Another founding member of the Saskatchewan Party has announced she will not run in the next provincial election.
June Draude, the MLA for Kelvington-Wadena, announced Wednesday she will not be seeking a sixth term in office.
“We have seen remarkable change in Saskatchewan over the past 19 years since I was first elected – a new party, a new government, and most importantly, a new confidence as Saskatchewan has moved from decline to growth,” said Draude in a statement.
Draude was first elected as a Liberal in 1995, winning the seat by 117 votes over Darrel Cunningham of the NDP.
She joined seven other Liberal and Progressive Conservative MLAs to form the Saskatchewan Party in 1997.
One of those co-founders, deputy premier and Finance Minister Ken Krawetz, announced Monday he would not be seeking re-election.
When the Saskatchewan Party first formed government in 2007, Draude served as Minister of First Nations and Metis and Minister for Northern Affairs.
A 2009 cabinet shuffle saw her appointed as Provincial Secretary and Minister responsible for the Crown Corporations, Saskatchewan Government Insurance, the Information Technology Office and the Public Service Commission.
Draude was moved to Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women in 2010.
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall thanked Draude for her years of service.
“She has been a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable in our province and has brought forward many new ideas and initiatives to help those in our province that need our support,” said Wall.
“She is the person who always reminds us that the purpose of growth is to ensure a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan people.”
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