Herb Cox will leave cabinet when Premier Brad Wall shuffles his ministers later this month.
Cox, who currently serves as environment minister, will soon begin stem cell treatment as he battles cancer.
“I have gone through this treatment once before a few years back and I know it would make it extremely difficult to continue to perform my duties as a cabinet minister,” Cox said in a news release Friday.
“I tremendously enjoy serving in cabinet, but my health has to come first and our caucus is blessed with many other talented members who also deserve the opportunity to serve.
“For that reason, I have spoken with Premier Wall and asked to leave cabinet at the time of the upcoming cabinet shuffle.”
Cox will continue to serve as MLA for the Battlefords. He was first elected to the legislature in 2011 and was appointed environment minister in 2015.
Wall said Cox has done a great job as environment minister and will be missed at the cabinet table.
“Herb Cox has done a good job managing a number of important environmental files, up to and including our government’s ongoing response to the Husky oil spill,” Wall said.
“However, I agree with my friend Herb that his health has to come first and everyone in our government is pulling for Herb in his battle with cancer. I look forward to continuing to work with Herb as a valuable member of our government caucus team.”
NDP Leader Trent Wotherspoon wished Cox well in his battle against cancer.
“We’ve all been touched by cancer and, fighting it obviously goes well beyond partisan politics,” he said.
The government also announced Friday that Economy Minister Bill Boyd has asked to leave cabinet when the shuffle takes place.
