There were barbs during question period and tears afterwards as Saskatchewan politicians gathered in the legislature Thursday for the last time before a provincial election.

Premier Brad Wall said there was a lot of legislative change during the sitting, including fixes to the essential services law and legislation that will allow people to pay privately for MRIs.

The government also announced that, if re-elected, it will sell 40 of its 75 liquor stores to make them private outlets.

Wall suggest that the Opposition, in comparison, didn't put out a policy plan or talk about infrastructure.

"I think this does set up a question that's coming this spring for people in terms of the election," Wall said.

"We're going to be able to present a record that is one of increased investments in health care and education and highways and generally of infrastructure, of more health-care personnel working ... We'll be able to present a record of continued leadership by the province economically."

NDP Leader Cam Broten said there was misleading information and a lack of transparency from the government.

Broten pointed to documents that showed troubles at the province's highly touted carbon-capture complex. He also said it was revealed that the government would not meet its promise of eliminating emergency room wait times by 2017.

Broten said it was a positive session for the NDP.

"I think we clearly showed the shortcomings in the government's approach and that's the job of an Opposition to do that," he said.

"We've seen that this government's changed. We can't trust the lines that are coming out. When they say carbon capture's working splendidly well ... fact tells something different. When we see them walking away from commitments around emergency room and specialist waits, that, too, has had holes poked in it as not being the reality."

Ten members of the legislature won't be running in the election slated for April 4 because they're retiring.

On the government side, they include former finance minister Ken Krawetz, former social services minister June Draude, former agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud, former advanced education minister Rob Norris, Doreen Eagles, Wayne Elhard, Bill Hutchinson, Yogi Huyghebaert and former Speaker Don Toth.

Toth, first elected in 1986, is the fourth-longest sitting member in Saskatchewan history. Toth, Draude, Bjornerud and Krawetz are also founding members of the Saskatchewan Party.

"Gosh, this is tough," Krawetz said in an emotional farewell speech.

"Politics at any level is a difficult job because everybody has different expectations and needs and decisions and choices have to be made," he said. "But in all my dealings I have endeavoured to be fair and prudent and mindful of how best to serve the people of this province."

Retiring New Democrat John Nilson, who, like Krawetz, was elected in 1995, had some advice for new and future politicians.

"Be good, laugh everyday at least once, and listen."