REGINA, Sask. — Tributes continue to pour in following news last week of the death of longtime former Saskatchewan Party cabinet minister and deputy premier Ken Krawetz.
Krawetz died Oct. 1 in Regina, according to an obituary posted by Bailey’s Funeral Home, after what was described as a short but difficult battle with cancer.
Ever since Premier Scott Moe announced his passing on social media last week, there has been an outpouring from public officials past and present, various organizations and the Ukrainian community, in which Krawetz was heavily involved.
Flags at the legislature remain at half-mast this week, while cabinet ministers and MLAs from across the political spectrum have been trying to come to terms with the news.
Last Thursday, Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison had gotten word of Krawetz’s death just before appearing at the Bell AI Data Centre construction site, where he and other officials were set to provide media with the latest update on progress there.
“This has been a tough press conference,” Harrison said to reporters when asked about Krawetz.
“I found out just before I came out, Ken is an icon, (a) ‘killer’, of our party and our government who has provided remarkable service to Saskatchewan in ways I think people will probably never fully understand — who committed his life to Saskatchewan right up until this week. It's very sad, it's very sad. Words that I can provide, really, I think don't do service to how grateful we are to Ken, number one, and number two, how much we're going to miss him.”
At the legislature later that day, reporters spoke to Last Mountain-Touchwood MLA Travis Keisig, who also had just gotten the news.
“He just had an auction sale the other day and I was perusing his articles he was selling at his auction,” said Keisig.
“He was just a genuinely good person — such an advocate for the Ukrainian community, he was a proud Ukrainian and coming from East Central Saskatchewan, which has a huge Ukrainian population there. I’m totally shocked and I feel horrible for Gail and the family and he’s going be missed.”
Keisig noted Krawetz’s continued impact at the legislature, even after leaving as an MLA in 2016.
“He was integral. I mean every time we had a Ukrainian celebration here, I mean, Ken was always here. He always made a point of it long after he left public service … he was such a such a committed person to his community and to his province. Just a very, very wise individual and an incredible work ethic, you know — yeah, it stings.”
There have been more statements offered in the last several days, including from Krawetz’s longtime caucus colleague, former premier Brad Wall.
"There are not the words adequate to the task of sharing what a good and decent man we have lost,” Wall said in a public statement.
“I am devastated. The province has lost one of its great leaders. A founder of our party, Deputy Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, my deputy premier, my right hand, a senior minister, a fierce MLA for Canora-Pelly. He was a mentor and a counsellor to me; as Proverbs describes — ‘a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.’ Whatever we might have accomplished in those years — needed his steady hand and his big servant’s heart. Tami and I offer our prayers for Gail, his family and to all who mourn this good man. We shall not see the likes of him again."
Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Jim Reiter said in a statement soon after the news broke: "I have been reminiscing a lot the past 24 hours – we all have. Ken Krawetz was a great man who meant a lot to me. He was a mentor and a big influence in my life both personally and professionally."
SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister Sean Wilson, who now represents the constituency Krawetz once held, said in a statement: “There will never be another Ken Krawetz. Canora-Pelly was so fortunate to have him represent us from 1995 until 2016."
There has also been reaction from the other side of the aisle. On Facebook, Opposition Leader Carla Beck said:
“Ken Krawetz and I didn't serve at the same time in the legislature, but he was education minister during my time on the Regina School Board.
“We certainly didn’t agree on many things, but Ken served honourably and cared deeply about Saskatchewan's Ukrainian community, education and about his constituents. Rest in peace.”
Like many current and past MLAs, Krawetz went into politics from a teaching career. Another educator-turned-politician, the NDP’s Matt Love, had this to say Tuesday at a media event at the legislature:
“Yeah, you know, it is sad news, and I know that colleagues across the aisle on our side who worked with Mr. Krawetz are very sad of his passing.
“I didn't have the honour of serving with him, but I'll tell you, in my years here, when he's been introduced in the Assembly, he receives a lot of support from all members. He was somebody that I know to have served honourably, to work hard for his constituents. His reputation is second to none, and we share with our colleagues across party lines as we grieve and remember his years of service to this province.”
Various organizations also took to social media with their tributes. The Saskatchewan School Boards Association posted:
“The SSBA extends condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Ken Krawetz. Along with many other accomplishments, Ken was a former locally elected trustee, Executive member, President of our Association (when it was the SSTA), Lifetime Member of the SSBA, Minister of Education – and of course a passionate advocate for education in Saskatchewan. Our thoughts are with all those who knew him.”
The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities posted:
“… Ken served Saskatchewan throughout his life—as a municipal leader, school board trustee, and through his work with the provincial government. He was a strong advocate for rural Saskatchewan, and his passion for the province was evident in his booming voice, warm laugh, and thoughtful, measured approach.”
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan posted the following:
“… As a dedicated public servant, former deputy premier of Saskatchewan, Honorary Consul of Ukraine to Saskatchewan, UCC Saskatchewan Nation Builder Award recipient and proud Ukrainian Canadian, Mr. Krawetz made significant contributions to our province, its people, and our Ukrainian Canadian community in particular, through many years of leadership and service.
“One of his important legacy contributions was the shepherding of Bill 40 The Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act for adoption in 2008 by the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, making Saskatchewan the first legislature in Canada to recognize the Holodomor as genocide.
“We join Saskatchewan residents in mourning his loss and honouring his lasting legacy. Thank you, Ken. May his memory be eternal. Вічна йому пам'ять. Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan.”
A book of condolence remains available in the rotunda of the legislature for people to pay their respects.
The memorial service for Ken Krawetz will be held Thursday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m. at the Gallagher Centre Flexi Hall in Yorkton. Memorial donations can be made to the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon or the Canadian Cancer Society.
