MLA veteran handed transportation portfolio

REGINA — Saskatchewan’s new governing party revealed its 18-person cabinet, which features the Saskatchewan Party’s first elected MLA as the minister in charge of transportation.

Wayne Elhard was the first member of the Saskatchewan Party to be voted into the provincial legislature when he won a by-election in June 1999. Elhard has served the constituents of Cypress Hills in southwest Saskatchewan ever since and on Nov. 21 was appointed the Minister of Highways and Infrastructure by Premier Brad Wall.

Wall has slated the first legislative session for the new government to begin Dec. 10, which will mark the shortest period between an election and the start of a new session in Saskatchewan’s history.

The Saskatchewan Party plans to introduce several pieces of legislation and will focus on ensuring the province’s economic boom turns into long-term prosperity and growth.

The first Throne Speech of the Saskatchewan Party government will also be delivered on the first day of the session.

As well as serving as the Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, Elhard is also overseeing the Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation and the Highway Traffic Board, among other duties.

Prior to his involvement in politics, Elhard was a partner in a farming operation and worked as a salesman in the farm machinery business for more than 20 years. He spent 10 years in the electronic media, including advertising sales, announcing and news/public affairs broadcasting at stations in B.C., Alberta and Texas before moving to Saskatchewan in 1982.

Elhard is a Saskatchewan native son, however, he obtained most of his education outside of the province. He obtained a B.A. in history and philosophy from the University of Lethbridge, and later earned a Master’s Degree from Baylor University in Waco, Tex.


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