Sask. Party MLA Tim McMillan leaving politics to lead petroleum group

REGINA – Tim McMillan, the MLA for Lloydminster and the minister of rural and remote health, is leaving politics to take a job in the private sector.

McMillan announced Thursday he is stepping down immediately from cabinet and will resign as MLA on Sept. 30 to take the position of president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) on Oct. 1.

He was the minister of energy and resources before being appointed to rural and remote health.

“Tim has been a great MLA and Minister and I will miss his unique perspective at the cabinet table,” said Premier Brad Wall.

“As President of CAPP, I know Tim will continue working hard to develop our resource industry in western Canada, including here in Saskatchewan.”

The chair of CAPP, Glenn Scott, said McMillan has strong ties to the energy industry including previous ownership of an oilfield services company.

“Tim McMillan brings extensive knowledge and experience in both the oil and gas industry and government,” said Scott in a release.

“He is well-positioned to lead CAPP’s activities in the policy and regulatory area, and in communications, both of which are extremely important to the continued success of our industry.”

That won’t include lobbying the Saskatchewan government for the first year. Under the new Saskatchewan Lobbyist Act, a former minister cannot lobby the government for one year after leaving cabinet.

Health Minister Dustin Duncan will assume McMillan’s current duties and Wall said he will appoint a new minister shortly.

A by-election to replace McMillan must also be called within six months.