Sask. deputy premier Don McMorris resigns from cabinet after impaired-driving charge

Saskatchewan's deputy premier, Don McMorris, has resigned from cabinet after he was charged with impaired driving on Friday.

"I have no words to describe how sorry I am to my family, to my colleagues and to all the people of Saskatchewan for myactions.But saying sorry is not enough," McMorrissaid in anapology.

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McMorris saidhe was returning home from the Fort Qu'Appelle region when he was pulled over in a construction zone near White City, a community about 10kilometres east of Regina.The minister responsible forprovincial insurer SGI and the liquor and gaming authority,SLGA,said he will leave the government caucus while dealing with the criminal charge. He will also be seeking counselling.

"I never should have gotten behind the wheel after drinking.I know better," said McMorris. "I am very sorry and take responsibility for my actions."

On May 13, speaking about the launch of an impaired-driving awarenesscampaign, he said too many people were dyingindrunk-driving accidents in Saskatchewan.

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"Any one of us could lose someone we care about due to impaired driving,"he said. "We owe it to ourselves, our loved ones and all other road users to never drive if we're impaired by alcohol or drugs."

On May 25,McMorriswas one of three ministers assigned by the premier to investigate the implications on driver safety of the federal government's plan to legalize marijuana.

Premier 'disappointed'

Premier Brad Wall said hewill name an interim minister to assume McMorris'sresponsibilitieson Monday.

"I am very disappointed in his actions.Drinking and driving risks and ruins lives and is completely unacceptable," saidWall.

McMorrisis stillthe MLA for Indian Head-Milestone, a rural constituency in southeast Saskatchewan where he wasfirst elected in 1999.

Until Saturday, McMorriswas also the minister for Crown Investments, Public Service Commission and Lean Initiative.

Provincial issue

In 2013, Statistics Canada data showed Saskatchewan hadthe worst record for impaired driving ofall the provinces.

The following year, SGI brought in tougher consequences for impaired drivers.Some of thechanges included longer licence suspensions and vehicle seizures.

In February, SGI's annual report on traffic accidents in Saskatchewanshowedthe total number of collisions involving alcohol in 2014 wasthe lowest it hadbeen in five years.

However, the number of fatal accidents involving alcohol didn't followthat trend, with17 more people killedin crashes involvingalcohol in 2014 than in 2013.