SASKATOON – Saskatchewan farmers are in good hands with premier-designate Lorne Calvert, says agriculture minister Clay Serby, especially when it comes to prying more money out of Ottawa.
“He is no stranger to the national scene,” Serby said, moments after Calvert was elected leader of Saskatchewan’s New Democratic Party.
“He’s comfortable there.”
Serby was one of the first cabinet ministers to back Calvert’s bid to succeed Roy Romanow.
Through much of his campaign, Calvert addressed the same things Serby has been calling for – a review of safety net programs and designing new programs to address transitions or adjustments farmers are making.
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He pledged to establish a ministry of rural revitalization, which would act as a central point of contact between rural people and the government. He also said cabinet would make regular trips into rural areas using a mobile cabinet office – a bus.
Speaking to reporters after his election, Calvert said one of his priorities is to begin reconnecting with rural Saskatchewan. He talked about continuing the province’s efforts to work together with producers, local governments, producer groups and other political parties to make its point in Ottawa.
“I note that we have been most successful in securing attention from Ottawa to the crisis on our family farms when we speak as a unified voice.”
He said former National Farmers Union president Nettie Wiebe’s strong showing in the leadership race sends a message to the NDP that rural concerns must be addressed and soon.
Calvert, 48, has university degrees in economics and theology. He served as a United Church minister from 1976 to 1986, when he entered provincial politics as a Moose Jaw MLA.
He served under Romanow as the minister of health and social services, and as the minister responsible for seniors, disabilities issues, SaskEnergy and SaskPower.
As social services minister, he implemented the child benefit, which is now a national program.
Some have suggested the soft-spoken Calvert is too nice for the political battles he is sure to encounter.
He disagrees.
“One should not in my mind confuse civility with determination and toughness,” he said. “I believe that there is in fact room in the Canadian political scene and the Saskatchewan scene for some growth in civility. I think people are looking for that.”
Another priority for Calvert is to get a seat in the Legislature.
He resigned in 1998 and worked as an adviser to the government until the leadership campaign.
It is widely expected he will seek election in Romanow’s Saskatoon riding, once Romanow resigns.
Calvert will also be selecting a new cabinet.
Serby said he would be happy to remain as agriculture minister, but that is for Calvert to decide.
