Former MP Rob Clarke joins Sask. Party leadership race

A former federal member of parliament is hoping to become Saskatchewan’s next premier.

Rob Clarke announced he is joining the race for Saskatchewan Party leadership Wednesday morning at the Remai Modern art museum in Saskatoon.

Clarke said he wanted to give party members an outsider option in light of controversies surrounding the Global Transportation Hub land deal and recent comments by Education Minister Bronwyn Eyre on treaty education in the provincial curriculum.

“Right now, these people are upset. They’ve seen scandals and insider deals. They’ve seen intolerance. They’ve seen good jobs disappear and they’ve seen the NDP win back seats in the legislature.”

Clarke also pointed to recent New Democrat wins in a pair of Saskatoon byelections as signs that the party needed a shake-up at the top.

“The NDP will win more seats in Saskatchewan unless we hit the reset button on the party and government,” he said.

Premier Brad Wall announced his retirement from politics in August, opening up the position.

With Clarke, there are now six candidates vying for the top spot, including Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Ken Cheveldayoff, Alanna Koch, Scott Moe and Gord Wyant.

Clarke was the Conservative MP for Desnethe—Missinippi—Churchill River from 2008 to 2015.

During that time, he helped bring into law the Indian Act Amendment and Replacement Act.

He was also a member of the RCMP for 18 years in Saskatchewan. He was commander of the Spiritwood detachment in 2006 when two officers were killed in the line of duty.

The Saskatchewan Party will hold its leadership convention in Saskatoon on Jan. 27, 2018.