Rosthern-Shellbrook MLA Scott Moe has just received some new responsibilities in the provincial government.
Moe has been appointed Legislative Secretary to the minister of agriculture, with responsibility for agricultural value-added and agri-business.
He will be serving under Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart. The appointment is one of 10 made Feb. 7 by Premier Brad Wall.
In speaking to the Regional Optimist, Moe said he is "honoured to be selected to help the minister of agriculture with the file."
Moe says he will be assisting with "expanding value-added opportunities in agriculture in the province, as well as expanding agribusiness in the province, all with the goal of expanding agricultural sales in the province by 50 per cent by 2020."
Moe adds he is "really looking forward" to working with the agriculture minister "to enhance agriculture for the province."
Moe is serving his first term as the member for Rosthern-Shellbrook, a riding located just to the northeast of North Battleford.
In addition to the larger towns of Rosthern and Shellbrook, the riding includes several communities such as Medstead, Hafford, Spiritwood and Blaine Lake within its boundaries.
It is a mainly rural riding, which means agricultural issues are of key importance among constituents as Moe acknowledges.
"Agriculture is the mainstay of business in the riding," Moe said.
He said he gets extensive feedback from the agricultural community in the riding, and encourages people to keep in touch on those issues.
Moe says he looks forward in his new role to "working not only for the people of Saskatchewan but also the people of Rosthern-Shellbrook as well."
The other new legislative secretaries, and the ministries they will serve under, are: Jennifer Campeau (education), Paul Merriman (immigration), Fred Bradshaw (environment), Mark Docherty (social services -disabilities issues), Greg Lawrence (social services - foster and child care), Laura Ross (parks culture and sport - creative industries), Gene Makowsky (parks vulture and sport - recreational initiatives), Kevin Phillips (government relations) and Darryl Hickie (SGI).
Campeau is also being asked to chair a new Premier's Aboriginal Task Force.
The 10 new legislative secretaries join Wayne Elhard, who serves as legislative secretary to the premier and provincial secretary, and Rob Norris, legislative secretary for First Nations involvement, who were previously appointed.
The specific role of a legislative secretary is to assist the cabinet minister on a specific file that falls under their portfolio. The appointments mean additional responsibilities for those MLAs in the government, but they do not receive any additional remuneration for the roles.
Moe expects to continue with his other committee roles in the legislature as well. He is deputy chair of the Public Accounts Committee, serves on the Caucus Management Committee and also serves on the Standing Committee for Crown and Central Agencies as well as the Caucus Policy Committee for Crown and Central Agencies.
He and the other MLAs will be back in the legislature March 4, when the current session resumes.
