Saskatchewan’s MLA’s have elected Mark Docherty as the new House Speaker in a five-ballot vote.
The Regina Coronation Park MLA said, “this was the reason I ran” when he put on the speaker’s tri-corn hat.
This election was necessitated after Saskatoon Eastview MLA Corey Tochor resigned the position in order to seek the Federal Conservative Nomination for Saskatoon-University.
Tochor defeated sitting MP Brad Trost and will represent the Conservatives in the next federal election. He continues to serve as MLA.
Docherty was first elected in 2011 and has held a variety of high-profile positions during his term, including Legislative Secretary to the Premier and Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport.
Outside of politics, Docherty is a founding board member of the Street Culture Kids Project Inc., a non-profit organization that provides housing and outreach work for at-risk youth in Regina.
He has also served as a board member of the North Central Community Association.
Seven MLA’s put their names forward to be the speaker, including runner-up Eric Olauson (Saskatoon University), deputy speaker Glen Hart (Last Mountain Torchwood), Danielle Chartier (Saskatoon Riversdale), Colleen Young (Lloydminster), Delbert Kirsch (Batoche) and Warren Michelson (Moose Jaw North).