Regina Douglas Park MLA Russ Marchuk won't run again

Saskatchewan Party MLA Russ Marchuk announced that he will not be running again in next year’s provincial election. 

Marchuk has been the MLA for Regina Douglas Park since 2011.

This past summer Marchuk had surgery to remove a tumour from his neck, although he says his health is now good.

“As the medical field put it, it was a good tumour in a bad place and it was complicated to get out, but it is gone,” Marchuk said in a scrum with reporters alongside the premier on Wednesday.

Marchuk admitted this situation had caused him some reflection, but he felt after 46 years in public service in various capacities it was time to look to retirement.

“There are things to do yet, I will be 70 years old in September and it is time to move on,” he said. “Just priorities, after 46 years of commitment, I’d like to do some other things.”

Brad Wall thanked Marchuk for his contribution to the government and to the province through his work in education.

“In all of these different roles, Russ has made a tremendous contribution over the years to the education of thousands of Saskatchewan school children,” Wall said. “Our government is very fortunate to have had someone of his caliber as part of our team.”

Marchuk has been a teacher, vice-principal, principal, school board trustee, vice-chair and chair of the Regina Public School Board, education consultant with Treaty Four First Nations schools, legislative secretary to the minister of education and the minister of education. 

Marchuk will continue to serve as the MLA for Regina Douglas Park until the provincial election in April.