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The powder in Saskatchewan would only stay dry for so long, though, and it was the Trudeau government’s carbon tax policy that lit the fuse.

After joining the Canadian delegation to Paris for climate talks, Wall served as a dissenting voice and advocate for the oil industry and its workers. When the federal government signalled its intention for a carbon tax, Wall used a similar line of attack.

“I can tell you with the energy sector reeling in Canada… the very last thing we need right now is another new tax,” Wall said. He later referred to the government’s white paper on the carbon tax as a “ransom note.”

Wall said he made the decision to retire at the end of June after talking it over with his wife Tami.

“It’s a hard thing to even just start to talk about,” Wall said Thursday. “We decided now was the time for me to end my career in politics.

“I think renewal will be good for the province. I think renewal and a different perspective will be good for the government. I think renewal will be good for my party as well. Whatever I do after this — and I currently have no leads or prospects — this job will be the honour of my working life.”

Wall said he will stay on until his successor is chosen.

“And until then, there’s still a lot of work to do,” Wall said. “This was such a difficult decision to make … but it is time.”