麻豆视频

It is this the time of year when we dispense with the lumps of coal we normally hand out to the likes of Premier Brad Wall for his $1.5-billion carbon capture expenditure.

And in the spirit of the Christmas season, we focus exclusively on the positive and instead offer Wall credit for taking to the Paris Climate summit his plan to preserve the coal industry around the world - including jobs around Estevan.

You get the picture.

There is always more than one way to look at any political issue - an important thing to remember for those with distinct political views that can鈥檛 always see the other side.

In that vein, NDP leader Cam Broten and his NDP caucus members clearly deserve something for their staunch defence of Saskatchewan seniors (including rural seniors) and others who may have fallen between the cracks of the health system as a result of the government鈥檚 emphasis on things lean initiatives rather than frontline improvements.

But let us ad a new twist in honour of this festive season. Let us send out our special Christmas wishes specifically to those who have dedicated years to Saskatchewan politics - many of them, long-time rural MLAs -聽 and are now retiring.

Khristos narodivsya to former education and finance minster Ken Krawetz, who has done more to establish Saskatchewan/Canadian-Ukrainian relations than perhaps anyone. His passion for his language, culture and heritage was instrumental in creating public awareness of Holodomor - Communist leader Josef Stalin鈥檚 deliberate starvation of Ukrainians in the early 1930s that killed millions.

But the Canora-Pelly MLA may be best remembered for his massive contribution to political life - the formation of the Saskatchewan Party after leaving the Liberals and his role as education and finance minister.

This being June Draude鈥檚 last Christmas as an MLA, let鈥檚 hope the veteran Kelvington-Wadena MLA finds something special under her tree.

Like Krawetz, Draude was a Liberal instrumental in the formation of the Sask. Party. As such, she became its first female member and, later, first female Sask. Party cabinet minister.

But Draude will be best remembered as the heart of the Sask. Party. Her work in social services - especially when it came to finding group homes for the disabled - defined the Sask. Party to be about more than economic issues.

Former Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud will be best known for his solid relations with the agricultural community and with the rural municipalities.

However, others might have also accomplished this. Perhaps the Melville-Saltcoats MLA鈥檚 greatest contribution was demonstrating how one can be a warrior for one鈥檚 own beliefs while still remaining, a decent, affable and likeable gentlemen. Good Rest, ye merry gentleman.

And speaking of merry gentlemen, few personified the words in Saskatchewan politics more than retiring Cypress Hills MLA Wayne Elhard.

Elhard became the first Sask. Party MLA ever elected and brought a sense of dignity to the party from his first day to his last.

Wood River MLA Yogi Huyghebaert is also spending his last Christmas as an MLA. The one-time Snowbird leader and former corrections minister developed connections between government and the military and police and correction forces.

Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles was part of the 1999 wave that solidified the Sask. Party as the political force in rural Saskatchewan.

Despite personal tragedies during her time in office, she soldiered on as a solid MLA.

Finally, we would remiss if we did not add NDP MLA John Nilson to the list of retirees who deserve one last Merry Christmas.

Although not a rural MLA, the New Democrat was from rural roots and served the interests of rural and urban folks for 20 years in a passionate and sincere way.

To the political retirees and to all, a Merry Christmas.

Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics for over 22 years.