Nadine Wilson announced on Thursday that she was stepping down as leader of the Sask. United Party. (Nadine Wilson MLA/Facebook)

By paNOW Staff

A CHANGE OF THE GUARD

Nadine Wilson resigns as Sask United leader

May 16, 2024 | 2:27 PM

On Thursday, following the final session of the spring sitting of the legislature, Saskatchewan Rivers MLA Nadine Wilson announced she was stepping down as leader of the Saskatchewan United Party.

Wilson became the party’s first leader when they officially launched in February of 2023.

READ MORE: Sask United Party officially launches, but critics are skeptical

Wilson was first elected in 2007 and served as a Sask. Party MLA until 2021. That fall she resigned from the caucus for what Premier Scott Moe said was her misrepresenting her vaccine status. She sat as an independent until the Sask. United Party launched.

Speaking in Regina on Thursday, Wilson said she would be passing the torch to Joe Hromek, effective immediately.

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“In working with Jon since the by-election, I have been impressed with his natural abilities as a Leader and problem solver,” she said. “His vision for the future of Saskatchewan has inspired me to make the decision to pass the torch of leadership to Jon.”

(Submitted Photo/Sask. United Party)

Hromek served as Deputy Leader and was the Sask. United candidate for Lumsden-Morse in a by-election last August. He finished second in that vote with 22.7 per cent behind Blaine McLeod of the Sask. Party and narrowly ahead of Kaitlyn Stadnick of the NDP (22 per cent).

He ran a campaign focused on education, as well as agriculture, and the cost of living for Saskatchewan residents. He has called for not only the removal of the federal carbon tax but also the provincial fuel tax.

On the education front, Hromek called for parents to have their voices heard on what happens in the classroom.

This was sparked by a controversy at Lumsden High School where “ABC sex cards” were discovered during a sexual health class for Grade 9 students. That led to then Education Minister Dustin Duncan, banning Planned Parenthood from presenting in schools. That eventually turned into a province-wide ban on all third-party organizations teaching sexual education in classrooms.

Planned Parenthood said the cards were only a secondary resource and never offered to students. It was eventually discovered by one student in the class.

In his first address as Leader, Hromek outlined his vision for the future of Sask United.

“I am committed to steering our party towards a brighter future for Saskatchewan. Our province desperately needs leadership. We need to be focused on eliminating unnecessary regulations, developing and properly managing our natural resources, providing affordability measures and tax cuts, and securing our provincial sovereignty.”

He went on to criticize the Sask. Party government and their handling of the province’s finances. He also addressed the government’s net-zero policy, arguing they are detrimental to the future of energy in Saskatchewan.

“The government’s approach to net zero is impractical and destructive to our province. We need to ensure we provide reliable and affordable power for generations to come.”

Wilson is still expected to run for re-election in Saskatchewan Rivers for the October election. Eric Schamlz of the Saskatchewan Party is the only other candidate that’s been declared so far in that riding.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com