Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter is taking over the cabinet responsibilities of Don McMorris, who has resigned as he faces an impaired driving charge.

Premier Brad Wall has appointed Reiter the minister responsible for Crown Investments Corp., Saskatchewan Government Insurance, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority and the Public Service Commission. Reiter is taking over those responsibilities on an interim basis.

McMorris, who also served as deputy premier, resigned from cabinet over the weekend and has left the Saskatchewan Party caucus. He will continue to represent the Indian Head-Milestone constituency as an independent MLA.

McMorris has said he will seek counselling as he deals with the legal matter.

“I’m glad, since making this terrible decision to get behind the wheel, he’s made the right decisions the next day about accountability,” Wall told a media scrum Monday.

“He’s decided, I think most importantly of all, to get some help, to get some counselling, and so, as a friend, I’m glad he’s doing that.”

McMorris was charged Friday after slowing down at a construction zone east of Regina, where he said he was pulled over by RCMP.

He was driving a government-issued vehicle at the time. As the driver of the vehicle, McMorris will be expected to reimburse taxpayers for any costs associated with the impoundment of the vehicle, Wall said.

The Saskatchewan NDP’s Nicole Sarauer says it's good news that nobody was hurt.

“Drinking and driving is an endemic issue in the province, and it’s one that absolutely needs to be taken seriously,” Sarauer said.

“I’m happy to see that Mr. McMorris is taking this seriously enough to step down from his portfolios and step down from caucus, and getting the help that he needs.”

She said she hopes the government will take this opportunity to look at the issue of drinking and driving in the province, and implement past recommendations that aim to curb the problem.

The premier noted the government has taken steps to toughen impaired driving laws in Saskatchewan, which has the highest rate of incidents involving drunk drivers among the provinces.

“We have this dubious distinction of being a leader in this category nationwide,” Wall said. “We need to stop this.”

A new deputy premier won't be named until a cabinet shuffle expected later this month.

With files from The Canadian Press