Prince Albert Carlton MLA Joe Hargrave is hoping he won’t be a one-term politician.
Hargrave confirmed his intention to seek nomination as the Saskatchewan Party candidate in his current riding at a nomination meeting coming up in November. Should he be nominated again, Hargrave would then be confirmed as the Sask. Party candidate for the riding in the 2020 provincial election.
Hargrave said it’s been an “honour and a privilege” to serve the citizens of Prince Albert and of Saskatchewan.
“I’ve done a lot of good in my role. I look forward to still keep looking out for the needs of Prince Albert.”
Hargrave acknowledged that some decisions along the way raised the ire of his critics, but he stands by the moves.
‘There are always tough decisions that have to be made,” he said.
He said the decision to close STC (Saskatchewan Transportation Company) was “very tough” but that the private sector has since stepped in, and the savings from that closure are better spent on health, social services and other government programs. He praised the work done by himself and his colleagues to get the deficit under control, so as to not pass along debt to future generations.
“We’ve got to keep on track,” he said.
Hargrave is also proud of the legislation passed to tighten regulations surrounding impaired driving. Even those decisions were unpopular for some, he said, but the reduction in the number of people killed by impaired drivers on Saskatchewan roads makes the decision worth it.
Hargrave was first elected in 2016 replacing retired MLA Darryl Hickie. He is currently the Minister of Crown Investments Corporation, and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance. He previously served as Minister Responsible for STC.
Sask. Party leader, Rosthern-Shellbrook MLA and Premier Scott Moe was acclaimed in his party’s first nomination meeting on Sept. 27. Incumbent Biggar-Sask Valley MLA Randy Weekes was acclaimed at his nomination meeting Monday.
The NDP has not yet begun its nomination process. A representative from Nicole Rancourt’s office said she wasn’t yet ready to speak to whether she will seek nomination again for Prince Albert Northcote in order to run for re-election in 2020.
