No matter what happens in the upcoming federal election, Yorkton-Melville is sending a new Member of Parliament to Ottawa. Long-time MP Garry Breitkreuz has retired after 22 years in office, and has celebrated the end of his time representing this constituency.
It was an evening “full of emotions,” Breitkreuz says, as he looked back on a political career that went through two decades and three party banners.
“To be honoured by all of the people who came from so far away to be here, it’s humbling to be recognized like this.”
Breitkreuz is best known for his opposition to the long gun registry, which was reflected in the speeches of the different friends, colleagues and family members who took to the stage to speak about his years in office. He is happy to be known as the “gun guy,” as he considers the eventual dismantling of the long gun registry to be his greatest achievement.
“It was a seventeen year battle. I was told many times to just give it up, you’ll never be able to repeal government legislation, it’ll never happen. Finally three years ago it did happen, and it’s all because of the great people I’ve been working with... It was payday.”
As it is the first time in two decades that he is not at the center of a campaign, Breitkreuz admits that he’s a bit uncomfortable on the sidelines.
“Even now I’m watching things on television and I’m a little upset when things aren’t told the way they really are.”
The keynote speaker was Andrew Scheer, Speaker of the House and MP for Regina-Qu’appelle. Breitkreuz says it’s an honour to have the youngest Speaker of the House in history to speak at his retirement, and says that they’ve been connected for years.
“We have the distinction of being the only two MPs who are sitting who have defeated the same MP, Lorne Nystrom... We’re very close, I worked on his campaign, and he got a position higher than mine in the house as speaker so I have to show respect in that regard, but we are very close.”
The next Conservative candidate for the riding is Cathay Wagantall. Breitkreuz is impressed with her as a candidate and believes she was the right choice for the party.
“She is going to be an excellent candidate. She’s got the life experience, she’s mature, she has a family, she understands the issues, she’s been involved in politics for quite some time and she’s a very hard worker. In Edmonton when she was supporting their candidate she baked a thousand pies, that’s the kind of person she is.”
