Family sacrifice recognized as retiring Sask. MLAs say farewell

As 10 Saskatchewan MLAs said goodbye to the legislature Thursday, each looked up to family in the gallery to say thanks.

Nine SaskParty MLAs and one NDP MLA are retiring and were able to say their farewell address to the assembly on Thursday.

“Family is a big support when they understand what you’re doing,” NDP MLA John Nilson told reporters after his farewell. “And I think my two daughters, who were six and nine when I was elected, understood I was helping the people of the province and that made a difference.”

Nilson admitted while his family’s support made his job easier, he wasn’t able to go to some family events he would have liked to be at.

SaskParty MLA Ken Krawetz echoed that, saying a lot of the stress was left on his wife while he was away serving his constituency.

“My children were 11 and 16 years of age. A 16-year-old son maybe took advantage of Dad not being around as much. But your spouse, your spouse has to carry a much bigger load when you’re away.”

Krawetz admitted he’ll miss working in such a grand building, but he – along with many other retiring MLAs – looks forward to all the things he’ll be able to do with family now.

Quotes from retiring MLAs:

Bob Bjornerud, Melville-Saltcoats: “Without our families at home to keep the fires burning and looking after things there, we couldn’t stay in here do our jobs to the extent that we do and I owe them everything for that so I thank them very much.”
 
Doreen Eagles, Estevan:  “I haven’t forgotten what that family has done for me.”
 
Wayne Elhard, Cypress Hills:  “My wife paid a big price for me to be able to do this and so did my kids.”
 
Bill Hutchinson, Regina South:  “My wonderful wife Jocelyn whose love and support I’ve always been able to count on and means the world to me.”
 
Ken Krawetz, Canora-Pelly: “When you have two children you miss a lot of things, you miss a lot of things back at home and I want to thank Gail for doing all of that hard work, still being the teacher and principal and finishing off thirty six years of education I think it is and still ensuring our kids did what they needed to do.”
 
John Nilson, Regina Lakeview: “It is hard on your family, our kids have done well but they also miss out on certain things.”
 
Rob Norris, Saskatoon Greystone:  “To many, many others who have enabled me to be here with unwavering and unstinting support I offer my sincere thanks.”
 
June Draude, Kelvington-Wadena:”I just want to say to them, they’ve made this life for me very possible and I am truly indebted to them.”
 
Don Toth, Moosomin: “To my brother Paul, he kept the family farming operation running, I am truly grateful.”

Wood River MLA Yogi Huyghebaert said his farewell privately to cabinet.