Clarion staff

Kindersley MLA Bill Boyd announced on Tuesday that he will be retiring from public life and resigning his seat, effective Sept. 1.

“When Premier (Brad) Wall announced his retirement, he talked about renewal within the Saskatchewan Party,” Boyd said. “I have been the MLA for Kindersley for a long time, so my retirement and a new MLA can be part of that renewal.

KIndersley MLA Bill Boyd announced his retirement from politics on Tuesday

“I want to thank the people of Kindersley constituency for the trust they placed in me over the past 26 years by electing me six times. It has been a tremendous honour for me to serve as MLA for this great part of our province.”

Boyd was first elected in 1991 as a Progressive Conservative (PC) MLA. He became PC leader in 1994 and led that party through the 1995 election.

In 1997, Boyd was a driving force behind the formation of the Saskatchewan Party, leaving the PCs and giving up his leadership of that party to become a member of the new party. Boyd was re-elected in 1999 but stepped down as MLA in 2002 and left politics for a time.

Boyd ran again in 2007 and was elected as part of the first Saskatchewan Party government. He was re-elected in 2011 and 2016. He also served as the campaign co-chair of all three Saskatchewan Party election victories.

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Boyd served as a cabinet minister from 2007 to 2016, holding various portfolios, including Energy and Resources, and Economy.

Wall said Boyd has been an important part of the Saskatchewan Party throughout its 20-year history.

“It’s no exaggeration to say if it wasn’t for Bill Boyd, there wouldn’t be a Saskatchewan Party,” Wall said. “Bill was willing to give up his position as party leader to help form this new political voice for Saskatchewan, and has been a key reason for our party’s success ever since.

“Bill clearly feels it’s time for renewal in our party and for the Kindersley constituency, so now is the right time for this decision. I wish Bill and his family nothing but the best in the future.”

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