Jim Reiter assumed Don McMorris’ ministerial responsibilities on an interim basis Monday morning. This comes after McMorris was charged with driving while impaired Friday morning.
McMorris, who was also the deputy premier, announced his resignation from the Saskatchewan Party caucus on Saturday.
READ MORE: Former deputy premier Don McMorris charged with impaired driving
Reiter will be the interim minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), Crown Investments Corporation (CIC), and the Public Service Commission (PSC) until the cabinet shuffle takes place later in August.
The Rosetown-Elrose MLA is also the minister responsible for SaskEnergy, SaskTel, Government Relations, and First Nations, Métis, and Northern Affairs.
“Jim Reiter has been a strong and capable minister for our government in all of the portfolios he has held and I know he will do a good job of handing these additional duties,” Premier Brad Wall said in a statement.
A new deputy premier will not be appointed until the cabinet shuffle takes place.
Global’s Chief Political Correspondent Tom Clark discusses what the driving while impaired charge means to his political career.
McMorris is still the MLA for Indian Head-Milestone, but he’s no longer a member of the Saskatchewan Party caucus. When the legislature reconvenes, he will sit as an independent.
McMorris was pulled over at 11:30 a.m. Friday morning by a member of the White Butte RCMP at the intersection of Highway 1 and 48 near White City, Sask.
He was driving a government vehicle to Regina from his cabin near Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask.