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People and organizations
Melville (Sask.)

Schmidt, Grant J., 1948-

  • PA 247
  • Person
  • 1948-

Grant Jacob Schmidt was born on July 21, 1948 at Balcarres, Saskatchewan to George Schmidt and Helen Banerd. He grew up in Neudorf, Duff and Melville where his father worked as an agent for the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Schmidt graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1972.

Schmidt articled in Melville with Dielschneider and Rathgaber (1972-1973) and practiced law in partnership with Rathgaber & Schmidt (1973-1985) and with Schmidt & Graff (1985-1986). First elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in the General Election of 1982, Schmidt served as a Progressive Conservative MLA for the Melville constituency until 1991.

Schmidt served in the Grant Devine Government as Minister of Labour (1985-1987); Minister of Social Services (1986-1989); Minister of Human Resources, Labour & Employment (1987-1991); Minister of Consumer and Commercial Affairs (1989-1990); Minster of Economic Diversification and Trade (1990-1991)*; Minister of Justice and Attorney General (1991); and Provincial Secretary (1991). Schmidt served as Minister Responsible for the following portfolios: Women's Secretariat (1986-1987); Labour Relations Board (1985-1990); Workers' Compensation Board (1985-1990); Employment Development Agency (1986-1987); Indian and Native Affairs Secretariat (1987); Saskatchewan Gaming Commission (1989-1990) as well as numerous other boards, councils and commissions. Schmidt also served as Chair of the Legislative Review Committee (1985-1989).

Grant Schmidt left politics in 1991, but made an unsuccessful bid for the Saskatchewan Party nomination in the Melville Saltcoats constituency in the spring of 2003. He ran unsuccessfully as an Independent in the November 2003 provincial General Election.

Schmidt married Sheron Steyck on August 28, 1971. They have two children: Kurt and Luke.

Grant Schmidt currently (2006) practices law in Melville, Saskatchewan.

*Schmidt also served a two-week period (March 16 to April 1, 1990) as Minister of Economic Development and Tourism; Minister of Public Participation; Minister of Science and Technology; and Minister of Trade and Investment before these portfolios were absorbed into the new Economic Diversification and Trade portfolio in April 1990.