With a fixed federal election date of Oct. 19, 2015, along with the possibility Prime Minister Stephen Harper could call an election this year at his discretion; Souris-Moose Mountain constituents can be certain of two things during the upcoming ballot---there will be a federal election this year, and the area's longtime Member of Parliament, Ed Komarnicki, will no longer be their representative in Ottawa.
Komarnicki, of Estevan, announced his intention not to run again in a statement addressed to his local constituency association in Feb. 2013, stating: “There comes a time when you have to decide whether you will run again, and that time for me is now. In fairness to the Souris-Moose Mountain Conservative board and to the constituency, I felt it important to announce my decision early in this term.”
“The constituency is strongly conservative and the interests of candidates to replace me, I'm sure, will be high, and so I felt I should give plenty of time for those that would be interested to set their plans in order.”
Komarnicki first won the Souris-Moose Mountain seat in 2004, when he topped a field of Progressive Conservative contenders that included former Saskatchewan premier, Grant Devine. Komarnicki's nomination for the PC candidacy was controversial, as Devine also put his name forward for the same role, and was disqualified by the PC party. The former premier opposed the decision, taking the challenge to court, but was ultimately unsuccessful, and instead, ran as an independent, finishing second to Komarnicki.
Following his first electoral victory in 2004, Komarnicki was re-elected in 2006, 2008, and 2011.
During his time in Ottawa, the former lawyer served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration from 2006 to 2008 and was secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and to the Minister of Labour from 2008 to 2011. Komarnicki is currently the chair of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and says, “Wherever you are placed, you give it your best. I always have.”
Of his time in Ottawa, Komarnicki says, “It gave me the opportunity to meet some very interesting people and to travel across Canada to deal with issues that are very much in front of us today.”
“I can say it's been a great experience for me and a great pleasure to represent the constituents of Souris-Moose Mountain, and to make specific representation on behalf of constituents.”
“I look forward to continuing to represent Souris-Moose Mountain until the next General Election. This is one of those great honours and privileges that I will always be thankful for.”
Dr. Robert Kitchen, an Estevan chiropractor will succeed Komarnicki as the PC candidate for Souris-Moose Mountain in the upcoming federal election.
