Mark Docherty (politician)
Mark Docherty | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly for Regina Coronation Park | |
| In office November 7, 2011 – February 10, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Kim Trew |
| Succeeded by | Noor Burki |
| Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan | |
| In office March 12, 2018 – November 30, 2020 | |
| Premier | Scott Moe |
| Lieutenant Governor | Vaughn Schofield W. Thomas Molloy Russell Mirasty |
| Preceded by | Corey Tochor |
| Succeeded by | Randy Weekes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1960 or 1961 (age 63–64) Regina, Saskatchewan |
| Political party | Saskatchewan Party |
| Residence | Regina, Saskatchewan |
| Profession | Social work |
Mark Docherty is a Canadian politician, who represented the district of Regina Coronation Park in the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly as a member of the Saskatchewan Party from 2011 to 2023. Docherty served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 2018 to 2020.
Political career
[edit]Docherty was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in the 2011 general election.[1] He was re-elected in the 2016 and 2020 provincial elections.
Docherty served in Brad Wall's cabinet as Minister of Parks, Culture, and Sport from 2014 to 2016.[2][3] In the 2018 leadership race to replace the retiring Wall, Docherty supported Gordon Wyant.[4] Wyant was eliminated on the third ballot in an election won by Scott Moe.[5]
In March 2018, Docherty was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly after the resignation of former Speaker Corey Tochor.[6] Following the 2020 general election, Docherty once again stood for election as Speaker, but was defeated on the final ballot by Randy Weekes.[7]
Docherty announced in February 2023 that he was resigning his seat in the Legislature effective February 10.[8] Although Docherty did not explain his reasoning for resigning, ahead of summer 2023 by-elections he was vocally critical of the Saskatchewan Party's record; he stated that "People are struggling" in reference to the party's tagline, "growth that works for everyone", stating further that "It hasn't worked for everyone in Coronation Park".[9][10] New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Noor Burki won the Coronation Park by-election to replace Docherty.[10]
In the lead-up to the 2024 general election, Docherty joined fellow former Saskatchewan Party MLA Glen Hart and former party staffer Ian Hanna in endorsing the NDP under leader Carla Beck, whose leadership qualities Docherty praised.[11][12] Docherty stated that the Saskatchewan Party had "lost their way", alleging that Moe refused meetings to discuss issues.[11] He cited the 2023 Parents' Bill of Rights as a policy designed to "subjugate people", and also related that during his time as Speaker, he felt "pressurized" to "rule in the government's favour on everything", adding on to allegations made by Weekes of being coerced in the role after taking over from Docherty.[11]
Personal life
[edit]Docherty was born and raised in Regina. He earned university degrees in Science and Human Justice, and holds a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Regina. He spent his early career working with vulnerable youth through roles at community and youth centres.[13] Docherty has multiple sclerosis.[6]
Electoral results
[edit]| 2020 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Coronation Park | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||||
| Saskatchewan | Mark Docherty | 2,913 | 48.87 | |||||
| New Democratic | Noor Burki | 2,630 | 44.12 | |||||
| Progressive Conservative | David Coates | 227 | 3.81 | |||||
| Green | Irene Browatzke | 191 | 3.20 | |||||
| Total | 5,961 | 100.0 | ||||||
| Source: Elections Saskatchewan[14] | ||||||||
| 2016 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Coronation Park | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||||
| Saskatchewan | Mark Docherty | 3,008 | 47.84 | |||||
| New Democratic | Ted Jaleta | 2,861 | 45.51 | |||||
| Liberal | Tara Jijian | 245 | 3.90 | |||||
| Green | Melvin Pylypchuk | 103 | 1.64 | |||||
| Independent | Douglas Hudgin | 70 | 1.11 | |||||
| Total | 6,287 | 100.0 | ||||||
| Source: Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division; Elections Saskatchewan[15] | ||||||||
| 2011 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Coronation Park | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||||
| Saskatchewan | Mark Docherty | 3,354 | 53.60 | |||||
| New Democratic | Jaime Garcia | 2,756 | 44.04 | |||||
| Green | Helmi Scott | 148 | 2.36 | |||||
| Total | 6,258 | 100.0 | ||||||
| Source: Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division | ||||||||
Cabinet positions
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Chabun, Will; Pacholik, Barb (2011-11-08). "NDP loses seats in Regina as Sask. Party gains". The Leader-Post. Archived from the original on 2011-12-11. Retrieved 2011-12-11.
- ^ "Wall adds 3 new faces to Saskatchewan cabinet". CBC News. 2014-06-05. Archived from the original on 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
Brand new to cabinet are Jennifer Campeau (central services), Mark Docherty (parks, culture and sport) and Scott Moe (environment).
- ^ "4 new faces as Brad Wall shuffles cabinet". CBC News. 2016-08-23. Archived from the original on 2016-08-24. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
Out as well are two who have been demoted to legislative secretary positions: Mark Docherty and Jennifer Campeau.
- ^ MacPherson, Alex (2017-08-25). "Gord Wyant officially enters race to become Saskatchewan Party leader and new premier". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Archived from the original on 2017-08-25. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
Regina Coronation Park MLA Mark Docherty was at the announcement and confirmed his support for Wyant.
- ^ MacPherson, Alex (2018-01-29). "How the voting broke down in Scott Moe's Saskatchewan Party leadership race victory". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Archived from the original on 2018-01-31. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ a b Fraser, D. C. (2018-03-12). "Mark Docherty becomes Speaker of Saskatchewan legislative assembly". Regina Leader-Post. Archived from the original on 2018-03-17. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "Randy Weekes elected Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature". Sask Today. 2020-11-30. Archived from the original on 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Simes, Jeremy (2023-02-06). "MLA Mark Docherty resignation launches contest for Regina Coronation". Regina Leader-Post. Archived from the original on 2023-02-09. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ Simes, Jeremy (2023-07-14). "Former Sask. Party MLA suggests government's approach not resonating with voters ahead of byelection". CBC News. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 2023-07-15. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ a b Salloum, Alec (2023-08-10). "Sask NDP poised to pick up two Regina seats in byelection victories". Regina Leader-Post. Archived from the original on 2023-08-11. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ Simes, Jeremy (2024-10-17). "Sask. NDP Leader Beck endorsed by former Sask. Party MLAs". CBC News. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "Hon. Mark Docherty – Saskatchewan Party". Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. Archived from the original on 2020-09-25. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "A Report on the Twenty-Ninth General Election, Volume I: Statement of Votes" (PDF). Elections Saskatchewan. 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ^ "2016 General Election Results". Elections Saskatchewan. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
