Saskatchewan NDP MLA to retire; plans to 'pursue other opportunities'

Cathy Sproule, Saskatchewan NDP finance critic, speaks to media during an embargoed news conference on provincial budget day at the Legislative Building in Regina, Saskatchewan on Wednesday June 1, 2016. (Michael Bell / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

An NDP member of the Saskatchewan legislature has announced that she plans to retire when the next provincial election is called.

Cathy Sproule, who represents Saskatoon Nutana, was elected in November 2011 and re-elected in 2016.

Sproule has served as the Opposition's critic for Finance, Environment, Justice, Agriculture and the Global Transportation Hub.

She worked as a lawyer for the federal government as an aboriginal law specialist prior to being elected.

A party release did not give any specific reason for her retirement, but Sproule said in a statement that she has enjoyed her time as an MLA and is looking forward to pursuing other opportunities.

The next election in Saskatchewan will be held in 2020.

"Cathy Sproule is a principled, passionate and articulate advocate for the truth. We are all better off for her involvement in our party and our province, and I wish her all the best in her future endeavours," NDP Leader Ryan Meili said in the same release.