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Sask. Ag. Minister to step down due to cancer battle

Aug 9, 2018 | 9:38 AM

Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Minister will be stepping away from his cabinet post to focus on his battle against cancer.

According to the provincial government, Lyle Stewart will remain on as MLA for Lumsden-Morse but will step down as Agriculture Minister after a replacement is appointed. In a written announcement released Aug. 9, Stewart said serving as Minister for the past six years has been a “tremendous honour” but he now needs to step away in order to undergo several months of aggressive treatment for colorectal cancer.

“Given my current circumstances, I didn’t feel I would be able to give that position the attention it deserved,” Stewart said, “so I have asked Premier Moe to appoint a new Minister.”

Premier Scott Moe said his first concern is for his friend’s health, but it is sad to lose him from the provincial cabinet.

“The most important thing is for him to deal with his cancer,” Moe said in a statement. “Everything else is secondary. Lyle has been a great Agriculture Minister and I want to thank him for everything he has done for the ag industry in our province.”

Moe is expected to name Stewart’s replacement next week, and the government said Stewart will remain in his current post until then.

 

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