bjornerud


Bob Bjornerud has wrapped up his time as the province’s Agriculture Minister in the legislature.

He will remain on as the MLA for Melville-Saltcoats, but has decided to leave the cabinet posting to spend more time with his family.

"When I announced I was stepping down before, I wanted to spend more time with my grandkids and things like that, and a Cabinet Minister's time is pretty demanding, so I'm looking forward to it, but it was kind of a funny feeling on that last day." Bjornerud said in an interview on Friday.

He says he’s pleased with the work the Sask Party has been able to accomplish for the Ag sector, especially the removal of a large part of the education tax on farmland: "That was one of the things that I think was a pet peeve of mine for many years and some of my colleagues too, so I think that's one of those things that farmers notice every year when they go to pay their taxes."

Bjornerud does admit that there's still more to be done, especially when it comes to crop insurance: "Crop Insurance is an ongoing process where we're going to try and keep improving it. About a little over 70% of farmers take the program, so that means there's 30% that feel it doesn't work, so we got to continue to try and keep making improvements to that program."

Bjornerud still has a few more duties as ag minister, including an appearance at the 99th Saskatchewan Stock Growers Convention, AGM and Tour next weekend in the Cypress Hills.

Premier Brad Wall has yet to name Bjornerud's replacement, but that is expected to occur as early as this week when he does his next cabinet shuffle.

Colin Powers talked with Bob Bjornerud after the spring session of the Legislature wrapped up: