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Kindersley MLA Bill Boyd announced Tuesday he is resigning his seat and retiring from public life, effective Sept. 1.

“When Premier (Brad) Wall announced his retirement, he talked about renewal within the Saskatchewan Party,” Boyd said in a news release. “I have been the MLA for Kindersley for a long time, so my retirement and a new MLA can be part of that renewal.”

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Boyd was first elected as a Progressive Conservative (PC) MLA in 1991. He became PC leader in 1994 and led the party through the 1995 election.

In 1997, Boyd was one of the driving forces behind the formation of the Sask. Party, after giving up his leadership of the PCs. He was re-elected under the Sask. Party banner in 1999 but stepped down in 2002, leaving politics for a period.

In 2007, Boyd ran again and was elected as part of the first Sask. Party government. He was re-elected in 2011 and 2016. He served as campaign co-chair for all three Sask. Party election victories.

Boyd served as a cabinet minister from 2007 to 2016, holding a variety of portfolios including energy and resources, and the economy.

In a news release Premier Wall thanked Boyd for his role in founding the Sask. Party.

“It’s no exaggeration to say if it wasn’t for Bill Boyd, there wouldn’t be a Saskatchewan Party,” Wall said. “Bill was willing to give up his position as party leader to help form this new political voice for Saskatchewan, and has been a key reason for our party’s success ever since.”

—Regina Leader-Post