A pair of Saskatchewan government ministers will be leaving Brad Wall’s cabinet in the coming days.
According to news releases sent out from Regina, both Economy Minister Bill Boyd and Environment Minister Herb Cox will be making their exit from cabinet before the upcoming shuffle by the premier.
Statements from both Cox and Boyd were included in the releases. According to Boyd’s statement, the decision was made out of a desire for others to step in after his years of service.
“I have been doing this for a long time, so I think it’s time for me to step back in order for others to have a chance to serve in cabinet,” Boyd said. “Our government is fortunate to have a large and talented caucus, including many new members who were elected for the first time earlier this year, so this is a great opportunity for renewal.”
Boyd will be continuing in his capacity as the MLA for Kindersley. As for Wall, he said it was difficult to lose Boyd, but he understood the decision.
“Bill Boyd has been a key member of cabinet since our very first day in government and I will miss his strong leadership at the cabinet table,” Wall said, in the release.
“That said, I understand his desire to move to a different role in our government at this stage in his political career. I know he will continue to provide strong leadership within the government caucus as he has at the cabinet table for many years.”
Boyd first gained office in 1991, and has been in the cabinet of the Saskatchewan Party government since 2007.
Cox’s reasoning for leaving cabinet was different than Boyd’s, as he is currently dealing with a cancer battle, and will be starting stem cell treatment in the near future.
“I have gone through this treatment once before a few years back and I know it would make it extremely difficult to continue to perform my duties as a cabinet minister,” Cox said, in the statement.
“I tremendously enjoy serving in cabinet, but my health has to come first and our caucus is blessed with many other talented members who also deserve the opportunity to serve. For that reason, I have spoken with Premier Wall and asked to leave cabinet at the time of the upcoming cabinet shuffle.”
Despite his exit from cabinet, Cox will be continuing his representation of The Battlefords.
In the release, Wall said Cox had done a great job as Environment Minister and that he would be missed at the cabinet table.
“Herb Cox has done a good job managing a number of important environmental files, up to and including our government’s ongoing response to the Husky oil spill,” Wall said, in the release.
“However, I agree with my friend that his health has to come first and everyone in our government is pulling for him in his battle with cancer. I look forward to continuing to work with Herb as a valuable member of our government caucus team.”
Cox was first elected back in 2011, and entered cabinet in 2015.