Leader Profile: Scott Moe, Saskatchewan Party

Before becoming Saskatchewan’s premier in 2018, Scott Moe was elected to the legislature as a Saskatchewan Party MLA for the constituency of Rosthern-Shellbrook in 2011. He was then re-elected as an MLA in 2016.

Moe was raised on a grain farm between Parkside and Shellbrook, as the oldest of five children.

“We were always busy outside. I can remember as a kid, we were into hockey a lot,” he said. “In the summertime, it was all bikes and jumps and everything that kids should be doing.”

He later received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan.

Moe journeyed into politics through doing volunteer work.

“When I ran in ’11, I had this belief that our communities in our region, they were either going to do well together or not well, but it wasn’t going to be one or the other,” he said. “I really thought I would be able to bring some of that unity to strengthen the province.”

“So it's a little bit accidental. I think I maybe started volunteering in town and trying to think things, and one thing led to another, and I got into some regional projects and that's how I got here.”

Moe previously served as Saskatchewan’s minister of environment, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Water Corporation, and minster responsible for the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency.

During his time as minister, Moe was responsible for new agricultural drainage regulations.

In August of 2017, when then-Premier Brad Wall announced his intention to step down, Moe resigned as minister and made a leadership bid.

Moe was elected Saskatchewan Party leader on Jan. 27, 2018, and was sworn in as premier on Feb. 2 that year. He was re-elected as premier in 2020.

Moe explained that while he didn’t always aspire to be premier, he received plenty of support when he decided to run.

“I didn’t always want to run for premier,” he said. “I would say, when I ran in 2011, I did understand that there would like to be a change in leadership at some point in time … I did want to be part of shaping that future in some way, shape or form, never dreaming or imagining that I would be in that leadership race.”

“In the lead up to the leadership race, through discussion with a number of my colleagues and friends and most importantly, my family, we ended up on the ballot, and here we are.”

Throughout his time in politics and especially as premier, Moe credits his wife and family for being a constant support.

“My wife is my best friend, and I miss her when I'm gone, but I love her, and I appreciate so much the support that she provides me as well as my kids,” he said. It's not easy being a child of an elected member at any level, municipal, provincial, federal.”

“So I really am appreciative that my family not only allows me to do this, but supports me.”

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Moe said an issue that has always been close to his heart is growing a strong economy.

“I firmly believe that the value of our exports, not the volume, but the value of our exports, is really the starting point for how we create wealth in our in our family, in our community, in our province.”

Moe has been vocal about several issues throughout his time as premier, most notably fighting against the federal government’s carbon tax plan, as well as the implementation of the Parents’ Bill of Rights.

Early on during his leadership, Moe restored $30 million in education funding and a PST exemption on agriculture and life insurance products.

During his time as premier, Moe has also worked to address affordability. In 2022, his government doled out one-time $500 cheques to 900,000 Saskatchewan residents.

While taking part in long days on the campaign trail, Moe said he likes to remain active and clear his mind by going for walks.

“That really does feel good, and it's good for personally, from my mind, it just clears your mind for half an hour, 40 minutes every day. So I try to do that most days, if not all days during the week,” he said.

Moe is the 15th premier of Saskatchewan. He and his wife currently live in Shellbrook with their two children.