Alec Salloum
Regina Leader-Post
Despite rumours and barbs thrown by Opposition MLAs, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he plans to run again in 2028.
Speaking ahead of the Saskatchewan Party Convention in Saskatoon, Moe said Thursday he “100 per cent” intends to run at the end of his current four-year term, which began after last fall’s provincial election.
“That’s my intent to certainly work as hard as ever, not only with the MLAs that we have here and candidates in the lead-up to the next election, but to work hard with so many volunteers across the province, many that are going to be in our convention this weekend,” he said.
While speaking with reporters about his commitment to running again, the premier noted it could happen in 2028 “or sooner.”
On the same day that Moe addressed his future, members of the NDP Opposition spoke up during question period in the legislature and tried to paint certain government MLAs as vying for the job of premier and party leader.
In reference to Jeremy Cockrill, NDP MLA Jared Clarke said: “We also hear that this Health minister wants to be Saskatchewan’s next premier. Are you kidding?”
Then, NDP MLA Jordan McPhail addressed Attorney General Tim McLeod: “And now we also hear rumours that he too, just like the Health minister, wants to be the next premier of Saskatchewan. Seriously? Are you kidding me?”
Both prompted comment from Speaker Todd Goudy, who said: “I don’t see the question there” and “I don’t understand this line of … ” following each seemingly rhetorical question.
For his part, Moe didn’t put much stock in the comments from Opposition MLAs.
“Well, I don’t know who would have intel on what’s happening within the Saskatchewan Party caucus, but it certainly wouldn’t be the NDP,” he said.
Speaking prior to the 2024 provincial election, Moe addressed his future plans with an eye to securing a fifth consecutive victory for the Saskatchewan Party. The premier said he would look to leave politics when it’s in “the best interest of the party, and certainly when it’s in the best interest of the government and the people of Saskatchewan.”
At the time, Moe said he felt he had more to give.
“There’s two ways people leave politics, one is you leave or two you get punted,” he added. “I would hope that I’m able to find my way to the former.”
Moe won the party’s leadership race following the departure of Brad Wall, who was first elected in 1999 and governed as premier from Nov. 21, 2007 to Feb. 2, 2018. Moe got the job of Sask. Party leader and premier in 2018, winning two general elections since.
