Moe praises Stewart as MLA resigns for health reasons

Right off the hop for the spring sitting, the Saskatchewan Party lost another MLA.

Lyle Stewart stood up and announced he would be resigning his seat at the end of the week. Stewart has been battling prostate cancer for some time and it has taken a turn recently.

“I need to spend more of the time that I have left with my grandchildren, and my dear friend,” Stewart told the Legislative Assembly.

Afterward, Premier Scott Moe praised Stewart, saying it’s unfortunate anytime anyone resigns due to health concerns.

“He’s been a colleague, (has) been here since I’ve been here most certainly, and so, yeah, my concerns would most certainly focus in on Lyle’s health,” said Moe.

Had Stewart finished out his term, he would have had 25 years of public service in the provincial government under his belt. Moe said that’s a loss.

“You lose not only that experience, but you lose an individual that was able to convey a thought in very few words, whether it be out here in the rotunda to the media, directly to the people of Saskatchewan or whether it be in that caucus room. Lyle didn’t speak a lot and even when he did speak, he didn’t go on at great length, but he got is point across,” said Moe.

The premier also talked about Stewart’s loyalty and his ability through the years to never forget who it was he was representing in his constituency and when he served as a minister.

Stewart will be stepping down at the end of the day on Friday and a byelection will have to be called for the Lumsden-Morse seat within six months.

It’s the second byelection that will have to be called; the first is for Regina-Coronation Park, from which Mark Docherty resigned a few weeks ago.

Moe said he’ll need to think on when those votes will happen.

“We have some time before that decision were to have to ultimately be made, but I think we should provide some direction as soon as we’re able,” said Moe.