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“I imagine it does a little bit, because, again, I’m trying to be careful that I’m not putting our government and our party in a position that is of any kind of controversy,” he said. “That is why I am speaking from a personal standpoint.”

Michelson did not give a speech at the event, and his name was never mentioned by the organizers. He merely chatted with supporters of the rally, clapped here and there, and posed for a photo.

But that was more than any other MLA did to support the annual event, though organizers say they sent out invitations to every one of them. The NDP said at least a couple of its members got them.

A few MLAs were seen walking around the rally to reach their vehicles. Regina Rosemont NDP MLA Trent Wotherspoon remarked that his party is pro-choice, and said he believes conservative parties merely use the movement without following through on the policies they’re seeking.

Swift Current MLA Everett Hindley had a brief chat with two demonstrators, both with signs calling for prayers to end abortion. But he kept the discussion focused on his car, as one of the two was interested in a similar model, and quickly motored off.

Michelson said he’s used to seeing more of his colleagues at the March for Life. But he stressed there were no direct efforts to pressure government MLAs to skip the rally.

“I’m here of my own free will, and because it’s something I believe in,” he said.

But Progressive Conservative leader Ken Grey used the rally as a chance to assail the Saskatchewan Party’s silence on the issue. He told the marchers that he’d recently “come out” as pro-life, and accused Moe of having “muzzled” his party on the issue.