About Elwin Hermanson:

A Saskatchewan farmer, Elwin Hermanson was the first leader of the Saskatchewan Party, a right wing party founded in 1997 by former Progressive Conservatives, former members of the Reform Party and right-leaning Liberals. In its first election in 1999, the Saskatchewan Party became the Official Opposition.

Leader of the Saskatchewan Party:

1998 to 2004

Birth:

August 22, 1952 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan


Professional Background of Elwin Hermanson:

• Farmer
• On Board of Directors of Full Gospel Bible Institute 1979-89
• Served on the Beechy-Demaine Economic Development Committee

Political Affiliations:

• Reform Party (federal)
• Saskatchewan Party (provincial)

Ridings (Electoral Districts):

• Kindersley-LLoydminster (federal)
• Rosetown-Biggar (provincial)

Political Career of Elwin Hermanson:

• Elwin Hermanson was first elected to the House of Commons as a Reform Party member of parliament in 1993.
• He was House Leader for the Reform Party from 1993 to 1995.
• Elwin Hermanson also served as agriculture critic for the Reform Party.
• He was defeated in the federal election in 1997.
• When the Saskatchewan Party was formed in 1997, Elwin Hermanson was one of the initial members of the Saskatchewan Party Steering Committee.
• Elwin Hermanson was elected the first leader of the Saskatchewan Party in 1998.
• He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan as the Saskatchewan Party MLA for Rosetown-Biggar in 1999, becoming Leader of the Official Opposition.

• Elwin Hermanson stepped down as the Saskatchewan Party Leader in 2004. He was replaced by Brad Wall. He remained a Saskatchewan Party MLA.
• In 2006, Elwin Hermanson announced that he would not run in the next Saskatchewan provincial election.