Flags at legislature flew at half-mast on the news of Lyle Stewart’s death; he headed the ag department from 2012-18
REGINA — Former Saskatchewan agriculture minister Lyle Stewart was remembered last week for his tough, no-nonsense style — both in and out of politics.
Whether he was riding a steer at Canadian Western Agribition, fighting off a carjacker or debating in the legislature, he was defined by his years as a farmer and rancher who could, literally, roll with the punches.
Stewart, 73, died July 30 after a 10-year battle with cancer.
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Social media posts praised him for his record, which included helping develop and promote the planned irrigation expansion out of Lake Diefenbaker during his term as legislative secretary for the Water Security Agency.
Current minister David Marit acknowledged that in his post.
“Lyle was instrumental in the development of the International Trade Centre in Regina, expanding irrigation in Saskatchewan, research and innovation and many other things,” Marit said.
Former premier Brad Wall, who first appointed Stewart to cabinet, said he was one of the most consequential agriculture ministers the province has had.
“He led crop insurance expansion, was a great provincial rep negotiating the suite of fed/prov ag programs and was a tireless trade mission traveller to both steward and open new markets for our producers,” Wall said on X.
“He was generous, including to hitchhikers, but Clint Eastwood when they turned out to be carjackers. He was a confidant who gave me honest and wise counsel. He was my friend. I will miss him greatly.”
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, Irrigation Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities and the Wheat Growers Association were among those who expressed condolences and appreciation for Stewart’s work.
“Among those contributions were his support for livestock producers as well as for enhanced transparency, competitiveness and reporting requirements in the grain handling and transportation sector,” APAS said.
Saskatoon MLA Don Morgan was Stewart’s seatmate in the legislature.
“He battled cancer with dignity, grace and all the ferocity that he used on a would-be carjacker. He will be missed,” said Morgan.
Born, raised and still living on the family farm near Pense, Sask., Stewart was first elected in 1999. He was no stranger to politics, having worked for former MLA and cabinet minister Colin Thatcher and seeking the nomination to replace him in the 1980s.
He was re-elected five more times, even as his riding changed to Lumsden-Morse in 2016, and served in both opposition and government.
He first served a stint in cabinet from 2007-09 as minister of enterprise and innovation. He became agriculture minister in 2012 and served until August 2018 when he left cabinet for health reasons. He resigned as an MLA in March 2023.
Premier Scott Moe described Stewart as a good friend and colleague.
“Lyle was a man of few words, which is unusual for a politician, but you always knew where he stood,” Moe wrote in a social media post announcing Stewart’s death.
“His quiet strength and dedication to the people he served were an example to all of us who served with him.”
The carjacking incident occurred in October 2009 when Stewart was driving into Regina on a grid road. He stopped to help someone stuck in the ditch, but that person attempted to steal his car and assaulted him.
In his usual way, Stewart chuckled and downplayed the incident as he described how he and the man fought on the road, the man eventually ripping off the rearview mirror and hitting Stewart with it. Stewart ended up getting the upper hand and dialed 911. The man, who was wanted by RCMP, eventually went to jail.
He also took on the challenge from then-Agribition chief executive officer Chris Lane when they decided to ride steers during the show. He was 66 at the time.
At the end of his political career, he came under fire for inviting Thatcher, who had served his sentence for killing his wife, to the throne speech in 2022. He later said that was an “error in judgment.”
