WEYBURN - Weyburn lawyer Mike Weger has been making many adjustments to fit into his new role, as the MLA for Weyburn-Bengough, elected in November, replacing long-time MLA Dustin Duncan.
He noted that 2024 was an exciting year politically, and he was happy that the Sask Party was again able to form a majority government in Saskatchewan.
“Everywhere around the world and even in this country, incumbent governments were falling. Change was the big theme,” said Weger in a year-end interview in his new constituency office.
He is occupying the same office space that his predecessor had on Fourth Street, next door to the Weyburn Primary Care Medical Clinic.
It was disappointing that the province’s two biggest cities don’t have much representation from the Sask Party, he said, but they do in most of the other cities in Saskatchewan.
The government had a brief two-and-a-half week session to swear in the new government, and the new MLAs like himself were able to get their feet wet in the House to see how things work.
“I’m really encouraged with the people I get to work with,” said Weger, noting at the very first caucus meeting, Premier Scott Moe pointed out they were in a room with 34 other like-minded MLAs from all different walks of life, but all with the same goal in working for their constituents, “with the goal of making this province be the best place to be in Canada.”
He noted that out of the caucus, there are 16 new MLAs in the “Class of 2024”, who will all be learning the ropes like he is.
Weger was able to make a member statement in the House, with his first one on the Festival of Trees that was just held for the Family Place in Weyburn.
Part of his new role will be sitting on a number of House committees and is the deputy chair of the Lottery and Gaming Saskatchewan board, and when he’s not busy with business there, he will be representing his constituents and meeting with them as he is able, and getting out to events in the riding.
As an example, in December, he made an appearance at the CPKC Holiday Train when they made their stop in Weyburn a week before Christmas. He also visited a Hockey Day event held in Yellow Grass just before the holidays.
While at these events, Weger had people come up to him to chat with him or just to say hello, and he hopes this will continue as he gets out and about in the riding.
In part, he is able to educate people on what the job of an MLA is when he meets them, in addition to reaching out to media as issues come up in the riding and in the province. He is also able to reach out to veteran MLAs in the House anytime he needs to find out information relating to his new position.
Weger noted that the spring sitting will open in March with the Throne Speech and the spring budget to look forward to in the coming weeks.
