Former deputy premier returns to legislature after impaired driving charge

Don McMorris returned to the Saskatchewan legislature Wednesday for the first time since he was convicted of drinking and driving.

The former deputy premier was caught driving at more than twice the legal limit and stepped down both from cabinet and the government caucus.

McMorris sat on the government side of the chamber but separate from them. The Indian Head-Milestone MLA stood to read a member statement apologizing for his actions this summer.

Speaking with reporters afterwards, McMorris was at times overcome with emotion as he spoke of seeing his former colleagues again, some for the first time.

“I never had a chance to express my apology directly, some I have seen personally, many have reached out, but I have never addressed them directly,” McMorris said as he welled up.

With no staff, an office away from his friends and a new view in the chamber, McMorris called the whole experience “different.”

Although he wouldn’t allude to what he meant, saying “one step at a time”, McMorris did say there are things he could offer from this experience.

“There are some things I have been thinking about as a private member that you don’t normally think about when you’re in a government caucus that may be of value in the future.”

He would accept a return to the government caucus if asked. 

As the proceedings drew to a close in the chamber, the premier was the first one to stand and go over to shake McMorris’ hand.