Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris won't seek re-election

Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris is seen in this undated file photo.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall is losing a third member of his cabinet.

Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris says he won't run again in the next provincial election.

"You know it was and remains a very, very difficult decision. A decision that obviously I consulted with my family and with friends (about)," Norris said Wednesday at the legislature.

"It's a natural time as many of my colleagues are gearing up and undertaking preparations for the next election. That's a big commitment and it was an opportunity for us to think about career options and opportunities into the future."

Before entering politics, Norris was the co-ordinator of Global Relations at the University of Saskatchewan. He says his future will likely be "on the nexus, right on the cusp between industry and academia."

Norris was first elected in the constituency of Saskatoon Greystone in 2007 by just 300 votes and he was re-elected in 2011.

He was Labour minister in 2007 when controversial essential services legislation was introduced.

In his first stint as Advanced Education minister in 2010, Norris cut provincial funding to First Nations University of Canada because of issues with the way the school was managed and allegations of financial irregularities. The move led to a plan to restructure the aboriginal school.

He also held the post of Immigration minister, where he faced discord from families after changes to Saskatchewan's Immigrant Nominee Program in 2012.

Norris was dropped from cabinet in May 2012 before returning to the post of Advanced Education minister last September.

He says those experiences taught him about the importance of talking to people and listening to their concerns.

"As I reflect on some of those lessons learned, probably more communication, more engagement with stakeholders and certainly as I returned to cabinet, I've attempted to do that."

Premier Brad Wall says he tried to talk Norris into staying.

"I asked him to not make the final decision, I think, about three times (he) agreed to go back and talk to (his) wife and eventually he just said 'no,' " said Wall.

Norris's announcement comes after Finance Minister Ken Krawetz and Social Services Minister June Draude -- both founding members of the Saskatchewan Party -- said they won't seek re-election when voters head to the polls, likely in April 2016.

That means Wall could have some big shoes to fill in a cabinet shuffle later this spring.

"Certainly Rob would have been a candidate for some of these other duties, absolutely, and that gets a little more difficult now," said the premier.