Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall likened himself to an old rock star on his farewell tour, as he headed into his last cabinet meeting at the Legislative Building this morning.
This weekend, the party will select a new leader from a field of five candidates. The premier says he has been saying goodbye for about six months now.
“You know, I announced this thing back in August and I’m still here,” he said. “So it’s felt a little like an interminable Rolling Stones farewell tour, and I guess, like Keith Richards, I may look a little rough, but I’m feeling pretty good.”
Wall says he was honoured to be able to occupy the premier’s office for the last 10 years, considering himself only a tenant in an office where the people of the province are the landlords.
He also hinted there could be more money coming for education funding, an issue that has caught the attention of school boards who are warning they can’t take anymore cuts.
Premier Wall says all of the leadership candidates have indicated education funding is a priority. The party picks its new leader this Saturday in Saskatoon.
There are five people in the running, including Ken Cheveldayoff, Alanna Koch, Scott Moe, Gord Wyant and Tina Beaudry-Mellor.
The NDP is also picking a new leader. It’s a two-way race between Ryan Meili and Trent Wotherspoon. The NDP’s leadership convention will be held in March.
(PHOTO: Premier Brad Wall. Photo courtesy of Manfred Joehnck.)