Premier Scott Moe confirmed Ken Krawetz’s death and said flags will be lowered to half-mast at the Saskatchewan legislature.
The Story
Ken Krawetz, a founding member of the Saskatchewan Party and a prominent advocate for Saskatchewan’s Ukrainian community, has died at 75.
Premier Scott Moe confirmed Krawetz’s death in a post Thursday on social media and said flags will be lowered to half-mast at the legislature in Krawetz’s honour.
Moe said he remembered Krawetz as someone who brought “logic, integrity, compassion and common sense” to decisions.
Krawetz was born in Canora, Sask., on April 15, 1951, and began his professional career as a teacher and municipal councillor.
He entered provincial politics in 1995 as a Liberal, running and winning in Canora-Pelly. Two years later, he joined with three other Liberal MLAs and four Progressive Conservatives to form the Saskatchewan Party as a unified right-centre alternative to the NDP.
When the Saskatchewan Party won government in 2007, Krawetz served in cabinet roles, including as deputy premier, minister of education and of finance. He retired from politics in 2016.
Krawetz was best known for his advocacy for the Ukrainian community and played a leading role in commemorative activities, including the 2015 dedication in Regina of the “Bitter Memories of Childhood” statue, a replica of a monument in Kyiv.
He led delegations to Ukraine, took part in memorial ceremonies, and worked closely with the Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations advisory committee.
In 2022, Ukraine appointed Krawetz honorary consul in Saskatchewan. He also helped coordinate Saskatchewan’s response to Russia’s invasion, including humanitarian aid and support for people displaced by the fighting.
← More stories