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Jeremy Harrison

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The Honourable
Jeremy Harrison
MLA
Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly
for Meadow Lake
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 7, 2007
Preceded byMaynard Sonntag
Member of Parliament
for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River
In office
June 28, 2004 – February 5, 2006
Preceded byRick Laliberte
Succeeded byGary Merasty
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
In office
August 13, 2019 – May 24, 2024
PremierScott Moe
Preceded byGreg Brkich
Succeeded byLori Carr
In office
December 5, 2011 – June 5, 2014
PremierBrad Wall
Preceded byDan D'Autremont
Succeeded byKen Cheveldayoff
Personal details
Born (1978-01-29) January 29, 1978 (age 46)
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Political partySaskatchewan Party
Other political
affiliations		Conservative Party of Canada
Residence(s)Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
Alma materUniversity of Alberta (BA)
University of Saskatchewan (MPA, JD)
OccupationPolitical staffer
ProfessionLaw

Jeremy Harrison (born January 29, 1978) is a Canadian politician who has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan since 2007, representing the electoral district of Meadow Lake as a member of the Saskatchewan Party. He has served in the cabinets of both Brad Wall and Scott Moe. Harrison was also the Conservative Member of Parliament for the federal district of Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, a district that encompasses the northern half of the province of Saskatchewan, from 2004 to 2006.

Early life

Harrison grew up in the area of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, and graduated from Carpenter High School. He completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta in Edmonton; he graduated with a Law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2004, and with a Master's of Public Administration from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy in 2011.[1]

Harrison first got involved in politics in 1996 when he purchased a membership with the Reform Party of Canada. He became more actively involved in Reform politics while studying in Alberta, ultimately working on Stephen Harper's Canadian Alliance and Conservative Party leadership campaigns in 2002 and 2004, and working as part of Harper's staff when he served as Leader of the Opposition prior to the 2004 federal election.[1] During this time he became close friends with future Conservative leader Andrew Scheer.[2]

Federal politics

Harrison was elected to Parliament as a Conservative in that party's first federal election in 2004; Harrison was elected for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, which covers the northern half of Saskatchewan.[3] The electoral win made Harrison one of the youngest MPs in the country. The Conservatives emerged from the election as the Official Opposition. Although the Conservatives would emerge from the 2006 federal election with a minority government, Harrison was narrowly defeated in his re-election bid by Liberal opponent Gary Merasty. On election night, the margin between Harrison and Merasty was 106 votes, which was reduced to 73 when election official reviewed the count sheets.[4][5] Harrison raised questions about the result, alleging without evidence that intimidation and ballot stuffing by the Liberals resulted in the seat being "stolen"; in particular, Harrison pointed to apparent turnouts of 100 per cent on some First Nations in the district.[6] However, a judicial recount demanded by Harrison confirmed Merasty's victory, by a margin of 67 votes.[7] On February 20, Harrison announced that although remained "concerned", he would not pursue the matter further.[8] Harrison was criticized for singling out First Nations polling stations in his allegations, while the high turnout at some polls was suggested to likely have been due to an underestimation of reserve populations.[5][9]

Harrison was cited as being part of the Conservative Party's alleged "In and Out" funding scheme during the 2006 election, which saw the party exceed spending limits by transferring money back and forth between the national party and local campaigns.[10] Harrison responded by pointing out nobody was "alleging that individual candidates did anything wrong".[10]

Provincial politics

Although Harrison was re-nominated to run again federally for the Conservatives in Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, in June 2007 it was announced that he was going to be acclaimed as the Saskatchewan Party's candidate for Meadow Lake ahead of that year's provincial election.[11] Harrison's late acclamation came after another candidate who intended on winning the nomination dropped out.[12] In the November 2007 provincial election, Harrison was initially declared defeated by incumbent MLA Maynard Sonntag.[13] However, a corrected error and absentee ballots actually gave Harrison a narrow, 37-vote lead over Sonntag, and his victory by 36 votes was confirmed by a recount.[14][15] Harrison has since been re-elected four times, most recently in the 2024 general election.[16]

Following the 2007 election, Harrison was named legislative secretary to the minister of energy and resources, northern resources, and oilsands development.[17] On May 29, 2009, Premier Brad Wall appointed Harrison, who had quickly earned a reputation as an outspoken backbencher, to cabinet as Minister of Municipal Affairs.[18] On June 29, 2010, he was moved to Minister of Enterprise and Trade in a cabinet shuffle, as well as deputy government house leader.[19]

Following the 2011 election, Harrison was promoted to Government House Leader.[20] Harrison was dropped from cabinet in May 2012, but retained his position as House Leader.[21] In June 2014, Harrison returned to cabinet as associate minister of economy responsible for trade, tourism, innovation, and immigration.[22] In August 2016, Harrison succeeded Bill Boyd as Minister of the Economy.[23]

On August 19, 2017, Harrison announced his bid for the leadership of the Saskatchewan Party, just days after Premier Wall announced that he would be retiring from politics.[24] Harrison stated that one of his top priorities would be opposing the federal carbon tax, while also stating that "very serious mistakes" had been made in the government's handling of the Global Transportation Hub (GTH), which was embroiled in scandal due to questionable land dealings.[24][25] However, less than two weeks later, on September 1, Harrison withdrew from the race and announced that he would instead support Scott Moe, whom Harrison said shared his values and principles.[26] Moe went on to win the contest.[27] After Moe's win, Harrison was named to a new cabinet position as Minister of Export and Trade Development, and also minister responsible for immigration and careers training. Harrison also dropped his advocacy for a review of the GTH scandal.[25]

On May 24, 2024, Harrison resigned his longtime position as Government House Leader following his admission to an allegation from Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Randy Weekes that he had once brought a gun with him into the Legislative Building; although he initially denied the allegation, Harrison then apologized and admitted to bringing "a properly cased long gun" into the building when he stopped there en route to hunting.[28][29]

On November 7, 2024, following the 2024 general election, Harrison was named Minister of Crown Investments Corporation.[30]

Controversies

A CBC News investigative report published in October 2024 showed that in January 2022, Harrison fired the board chair of the Saskatchewan Research Council—a crown corporation for which Harrison was the responsible minister—after the chair had raised concerns about conflicts of interest over board members and government contracts.[31] Board chair Dennis Fitzpatrick blew the whistle on apparent conflicts of interest involving SRC president and CEO Mike Crabtree and other board members single sourcing to close business associates in regards to a rare-earth element processing project. Although Harrison told the Legislature in January 2023 that he did not involve himself in "board stuff" with the SRC, documents demonstrate that Harrison responded to the incident by firing Fitzpatrick, accusing him of misconduct in his role as board chair. Fitzpatrick told CBC that Harrison was "rude and abrasive" during the episode, and refused to answer questions; Harrison also declined to answer questions from CBC over the controversy.[31]

On May 16, 2024, Harrison was the subject of a series of allegations by Speaker Randy Weekes. In addition to charging Harrison with bringing a gun into the Legislative building—a charge Harrison later admitted and apologized for[28]—Weekes stated that Harrison had sought permission to carry a handgun in the Legislative Building.[29] Moreover, Weekes charged Harrison with leading a campaign of intimidation and harassment against the Speaker, alleging bullying and harassing text messages meant to influence the Speaker's rulings in favour of the government.[32][33] Former Speaker Mark Docherty later alleged that he too had felt "pressurized" to "rule in the government's favour on everything" when in the role.[34]

Electoral history

Provincial elections

2024 Saskatchewan general election: Meadow Lake
Party Candidate Votes %
Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison 4,010 62.49
New Democratic Miles Nachbaur 2.010 31.32
Saskatchewan United Denis Allchurch 296 4.61
Green Candice Turner 101 1.57
Total 6,417 99.99
Source: Elections Saskatchewan[35]
2020 Saskatchewan general election: Meadow Lake
Party Candidate Votes %
Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison 4,540 71.63
New Democratic Harmonie King 1,627 25.67
Green Carol Vandale 171 2.70
Total 6,338 100.0
Source: Elections Saskatchewan[36]
2016 Saskatchewan general election: Meadow Lake
Party Candidate Votes %
Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison 4,395 70.46
New Democratic Dwayne Lasas 1,430 22.93
Eric McCrimmon 305 4.89
Green Eric Schalm 107 1.72
Total 6,237 100.0
Source: Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division; Elections Saskatchewan[37]
2011 Saskatchewan general election: Meadow Lake
Party Candidate Votes %
Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison 4,207 61.97
New Democratic Helen Ben 2,491 36.69
Green Susan Merasty 91 1.34
Total 6,789 100.0
Source: Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division
2007 Saskatchewan general election: Meadow Lake
Party Candidate Votes %
Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison 3,507 48.86
New Democratic Maynard Sonntag 3,471 48.35
Liberal Don Coupland 200 2.79
Total 7,178 100.0
Source: Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division

Federal elections

2006 Canadian federal election: Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Gary Merasty 10,191 41.37
Conservative Jeremy Harrison 10,124 41.09
New Democratic Anita Jackson 3,787 15.37
Green John McDonald 534 2.17
Total 24,636 100.0
Source: Elections Canada[38]
2004 Canadian federal election: Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Jeremy Harrison 7,279 37.39
Liberal Al Ducharme 5,815 29.87
New Democratic Earl Cook 3,910 20.09
Independent Rick Laliberte (X) 1,923 9.88
Green Marcella Gall 539 2.77
Total 19,466 100.0
Source: Elections Canada[39]

Provincial cabinet positions

Saskatchewan provincial government of Scott Moe
Cabinet posts (3)
Predecessor Office Successor
Dustin Duncan Minister of Crown Investments Corporation
November 7, 2024 – 		Incumbent
Post Established Minister of Immigration and Careers Training
February 2, 2018 – November 7, 2024 		Jim Reiter
Steven Bonk Minister of Export and Trade Development
February 2, 2018 – November 7, 2024 		Warren Kaeding
Saskatchewan provincial government of Brad Wall
Cabinet posts (4)
Predecessor Office Successor
Bill Boyd Minister of the Economy
August 23, 2016 – August 19, 2017 		Steven Bonk
Post Established Minister Responsible for Trade, Tourism, Innovation, and Immigration
June 5, 2014 – August 19, 2017 		Steven Bonk
Ken Cheveldayoff Minister of Enterprise
June 29, 2010 – May 25, 2012 		Ministry Abolished
Bill Hutchinson Minister of Municipal Affairs
May 29, 2009 – June 29, 2010 		Darryl Hickie

References

  1. ^ a b Fast, Bev (2015-03-20). "A career in politics". Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. Archived from the original on 2023-12-09. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  2. ^ "From high school politics to PM bid: Longtime friends reflect on Andrew Scheer". CBC Radio. 2019-10-17. Archived from the original on 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  3. ^ "Harrison ousts Laliberte". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon. 2004-06-29.
  4. ^ "Liberal's margin shrinks in Saskatchewan riding". CBC News. 2006-01-29. Archived from the original on 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  5. ^ a b "Final results give Merasty slim win". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon. 2006-01-30. Archived from the original on 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  6. ^ "Election 'stolen,' ex-MP charges". The Leader-Post. Regina. January 25, 2006. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  7. ^ "Liberals hold on to Saskatchewan riding after judicial recount". CBC News. 2006-02-10. Archived from the original on 2014-05-19. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  8. ^ "Harrison gives up fight to overturn election". CBC News. 2006-02-20. Archived from the original on 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  9. ^ Orthner, Bryan (2006-08-10). "Harrison Believes Aboriginal Support Still There". MBC Radio. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  10. ^ a b "Harrison undaunted". The Leader-Post. Regina. 2008-05-07. Archived from the original on 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  11. ^ "Former MP to take run at provincial politics". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon. 2007-06-16. Archived from the original on 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
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  16. ^ Brown, Angela (2024-10-29). "Sask Party incumbent Jeremy Harrison picks up win in Meadow Lake". Battlefords News-Optimist. Archived from the original on 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2024-11-18 – via Sask Today.
  17. ^ "Wall becomes 14th premier". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon. 2007-11-22. Archived from the original on 2015-12-26. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
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  21. ^ Cairns, John (2012-05-28). "Major reorganization in provincial cabinet shuffle". The Battlefords News-Optimist. Archived from the original on 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  22. ^ "Saskatchewan premier shuffles cabinet; several major portfolios unchanged". CTV News. Saskatoon. 2014-06-05. Archived from the original on 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
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  24. ^ a b Fraser, D. C. (2017-08-20). "Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison enters race to succeed Premier Brad Wall". Regina Leader-Post. Archived from the original on 2017-08-21. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  25. ^ a b "Former Minister of Economy to head up new Sask. cabinet position". CBC News. 2018-02-04. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
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  27. ^ "Former environment minister Scott Moe wins race to become Saskatchewan premier". National Observer. The Canadian Press. 2018-01-27. Archived from the original on 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  28. ^ a b "Harrison brought gun to Legislative Building a decade ago, steps down as house leader". CKOM. 2024-05-24. Archived from the original on 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  29. ^ a b Salloum, Alec (2024-05-24). "Harrison resigns as house leader, apologizes for bringing gun to Sask. legislature". Regina Leader-Post. Archived from the original on 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  30. ^ Simes, Jeremy (2024-11-07). "Premier Scott Moe unveils new, smaller Sask. cabinet and says change room policy no longer 1st priority". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  31. ^ a b Leo, Geoff (2024-10-21). "Minister Jeremy Harrison fired Crown corp board chair who blew the whistle on apparent conflicts of interest". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  32. ^ Salloum, Alec (2024-05-16). "Weekes lambastes MLA on way out as Speaker, makes 'disturbing' allegations". Regina Leader-Post. Archived from the original on 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  33. ^ Simes, Jeremy (2024-05-16). "Saskatchewan Speaker says he was harassed, threatened by government MLAs". CBC News. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  34. ^ Massie, Gillian (2024-10-17). "Three former Sask. Party members back the NDP ahead of provincial election". CKOM. Archived from the original on 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  35. ^ "2024 General Election Official Results". Elections Saskatchewan. 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  36. ^ "A Report on the Twenty-Ninth General Election, Volume I: Statement of Votes" (PDF). Elections Saskatchewan. 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  37. ^ "2016 General Election Results". Elections Saskatchewan. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  38. ^ "Thirty-ninth General Election 2006: Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  39. ^ "Thirty-eighth General Election 2004: Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
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