Much like real life, there are those in politics who seem more blessed than others.
But regardless of how blessed we feel we are, we should all be grateful at this very special time of the year.
And in that spirit of the season comes the one column where we only express gratitude for our politicians' work by offering them Christmas well wishes.
Let us begin with Premier Brad Wall who was truly fortunate in 2010, blessed with the gifts of a rebounding economy and nearly unprecedented public support. But what rest of us should be most thankful for is the leadership Wall shown - especially during the hostile takeover bid of BHP Billiton of PotashCorp in which Wall really came into his own as a national political figure. While kudos should also go to Energy Minister Bill Boyd and Enterprise Minister Jeremy Harrison for their less visible on this file, it was Wall who united the province on the issue and re-awoke the notion that we own this resource.
But maybe we should also give credit and thanks to NDP leader Dwain Lingenfelter for reminding Wall and the rest of us who truly owns this resource and whose interests were really at stake in his take over. While many would say it wasn't a particular great year for the embattled NDP leader, Lingenfelter had his moments. Another areas for which he deserves credit is Agriculture, where he pressed for flood relief.
On that theme let's offer a present to Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud who had his challenges dealing with flood relief programs. Though the special payments and AgriStability fund contributions didn't make everyone happy, his straight-forwardness was often a blessing. Let's also hope that Highways Minister Jim Reiter and Public Safety and Corrections Minister Yogi Huyghebaert find something under their trees this Christmas for their best work in dealing with the flooding challenges.
Speaking of tough years, no minister answered more questions in the assembly than Health Minister Don McMorris. From bed closures to recruitment to the recent job action by doctors, arguably no minister had a tougher year. But McMorris ably handled most of his challenges and even offered some innovative solutions to reducing surgical waiting times, multiple sclerosis treatment, efficiencies in health care delivery and perhaps even funding of the building nursing homes and hospitals.
Gifts should also go to tough-minded NDP critics Judy Junor and Pat Atkinson who toured rural Saskatchewan to directly hear concerns. Both held McMorris's feat to the fire on several issues.If there is a tougher ministerial assignment than health, its finances where Ken Krawetz managed to hold the line on government spending and produce a surplus general revenue fund budget by mid-year. Coming off 2009, this was a much-appreciated gift to us all, as was the promise of increasing revenue sharing and education property tax relief next year.
But we would remiss if we didn't give the gift of thanks to out-going finance minister Rod Gantefoer. Parkinson's disease may now be causing him to tremble a little, but you will not meet a steadier hand in the political business. Credit should also go to the NDP's young finance critic Trent Wotherspoon. He may be a good one, one day.
Some ministers truly had more challenges than others, so let's offer up Christmas cheer for the thankless work June Draude and Donna Harpauer did on the tough, social services file and to Ken Cheveldayoff for his work with First Nations and on the domed stadium. In that vein, let's hear it for Advance Education Minister Rob Norris for the role he played in making First Nations University of Canada accountable.
And to all our politicians who offered their dedication and passion at the price of their family and private lives, thanks during this festive season.
Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics for over 15 years.
