In the spring of 1997, Progressive Conservative Leader Bill Boyd and a small group of Liberal MLAs launched a landmark initiative that would forever change the face of Saskatchewan politics.
They began talks with other Conservatives, Liberals and like-minded individuals to create a new party that could rally the growing sentiment for change in Saskatchewan under a single party banner.
On August 8th 1997, Bill Boyd and former Liberal MLA Ken Krawetz announced the formation of the Saskatchewan Party.
The new Saskatchewan Party Caucus in the Legislature was formed by four former Conservative MLAs and four former Liberals. (Bob Bjornerud, June Draude, Rod Gantefoer, Ken Krawetz, Bill Boyd, Dan D'Autremont, Ben Heppner, and Don Toth)
Here are some other dates of importance in the Party's history:
August 11, 1997 - Ken Krawetz selected by the Caucus to serve as Interim Leader.
September 10, 1997 - Glenn Hagel, Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature, declares the Saskatchewan Party Caucus to be the Official Opposition in the Legislature.
September 17, 1997 - After a petition drive to receive the required 2,500 signatures, the Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan registers the Saskatchewan Party as an official political party.
November 14, 1997 - The Saskatchewan Party holds its Founding Meeting in Saskatoon. Participants (members and non-members) establish the Party's initial policies and a draft constitution.
November 21, 1997 - The Saskatchewan Party membership reaches 1,000.
December 1, 1997 - Leadership campaign begins; Rod Gantefoer, Elwin Hermanson and D.F. Yogi Huyghebaert enter the race. The Campaign Committee establishes one member, one vote mail in ballot procedures.
April 20, 1998 - Elwin Hermanson elected first Leader of the Saskatchewan Party.
May 1, 1998 - Saskatchewan Party membership exceeds 5,000.
October 31, 1998 - Saskatchewan Party Policy Convention; members pass Constitution and begin discussion of Party's Election Platform.
June 28, 1999 - Wayne Elhard wins a by-election in Cypress Hills and becomes the first MLA to be elected under the Saskatchewan Party banner.
September 16, 1999 - Saskatchewan Party elects 25 MLAs in the 1999 Provincial Election.
June 26, 2000 - Yogi Huyghebaert wins Wood River by-election.
November 15, 2001 - Saskatchewan Party Leader, Elwin Hermanson, launches the Grow Saskatchewan Plan at the Party's Annual Convention. The plan proposes to grow Saskatchewan by 100,000 people in ten years.
November 5, 2003 - The Saskatchewan Party captures 28 seats in the 2003 Provincial Election.
February 28, 2004 - Elwin Hermanson steps down as Saskatchewan Party Leader.
March 15, 2004 - Swift Current MLA Brad Wall becomes the new Leader of the Saskatchewan Party.
September 21, 2004 - Brad Wall releases his economic vision, The Promise of Saskatchewan: A New Vision For Saskatchewan's Economy, to a Commerce class at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.
February 6, 2005 - A policy renewal package is debated and passed by party membership at the 2005 Annual Convention.