Fonds F 195 - Berny Wiens fonds

Bernhard Henry Wiens was born on September 2, 1945 in Rosetown, Saskatchewan to Jacob Bernhard and Margaret G. Wiens. Raised on the family farm at Herschel, Wiens received his early education at Herschel School. After completing high school at Rosthern Junior College, Wiens attended the University of Saskatchewan, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture and a Master's Degree in Animal Nutrition. He taught science at Milden Central School during the 1969-70 school year. In 1969, Wiens began a family-operated mixed farm near Herschel.

Before entering provincial politics, Wiens played an active role in a number of community organizations including the Agricultural Insight Foundation, the Canadian Society of Animal Science, the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and the National Farmers Union. He was president of both the Saskatchewan School Trustees Association and the Canadian School Board Association. Wiens also served on the Saskatchewan Committee on Rural Area Development.

On September 7, 1968 Wiens married Cheralyn Winona Marie Krug. He and his wife have five children, Devin Conrad, Lara Nicole, Lauren Bernhard, Stacey Marie, and Teresa Margaret.

Bernhard Wiens was elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in the general election of 1991. From 1991 to 1995, he served as the member from Rosetown-Elrose. In 1995 he was re-elected as the representative of Rosetown-Biggar. He continued to serve as the member from Rosetown-Biggar until September 16, 1999, when he was defeated by Elwin Hermanson.

During the eight years that Wiens was a MLA, he held a number of portfolios in the NDP government of Roy Romanow. These included: Minister of Agriculture and Food (Nov. 1, 1991-Sept. 29, 1992); Minister of Highways and Transportation (Nov. 1, 1991-Sept. 29, 1992); Minister of the Environment and Public Safety (Sept. 29, 1992-Mar. 17, 1993); Minister of the Environment and Resource Management (Mar. 17, 1993-Nov. 22, 1995); Minister Responsible for the Crown Investments Corporation (Nov. 22, 1995-June 27, 1997); Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs (June 27, 1997-Sept. 30, 1999); and Provincial Secretary (Sept. 21, 1998-Sept. 30, 1999).

Wiens was also Minister Responsible for: Agricultural Credit Corporation of Saskatchewan (1991-1992); Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation (1991-1992); Agriculture Development Fund (1991-1992); Highway Traffic Board (1991-1992); Saskatchewan Water Corporation (1993); Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation (1993-1995); and CIC Mineral Interests Corporation (1995-1997).

Following his defeat in the 1999 general election, Wiens returned to farming. On May 25, 2001 he was appointed to a three-year term on the Board of Governors of the University of Regina. In this capacity he was a presenter at the Oxford Round Table in July 2003. Other corporations and associations with which Wiens held affiliation include: the Saskatchewan Vegetable Growers Association; the Canada Ukrainian Agrarian Development Corporation; Troika International Lobbyists Inc.; and, Wiens Enterprises Inc. He currently (2010) resides near Herschel, Saskatchewan.

Carol Carson was born on September 5, 1945 in Nipawin, Saskatchewan to George and Irene Plageman. She has two brothers and one sister. Raised on a farm near Choiceland, she attended Mossy Glen School and Choiceland High School. Carson attended the University of Saskatchewan, where she earned Education and Arts degrees.

Carson worked as a teacher in Melfort, Saskatchewan from 1967 to 1973. She was an alderman in Melfort from 1986 to 1988 and Mayor of Melfort from 1989 to 1991. She was also a member of the board of directors of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association and served on the boards of the Melfort-Kinistino Rural Development Corporation, the Melfort Union Hospital, and Plus Industries.

Carson was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1991 and served as the New Democratic Party MLA for Melfort Constituency until 1995. Carson served in the Roy Romanow government as Minister of Community Services (1991-1993); Minister of Environment and Public Safety (1991-1992); Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (1991-1995); Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Municipal Board (1991-1995); Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation (1991-1992); Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Transportation Company (1991-1992); and Minister of Municipal Government (1993-1995).

Carson retired from political life in July 1995 and as of 2008, resided in Melfort, Saskatchewan.

Carol Plageman married Grant Carson, a lawyer, on June 18, 1965. They have five children: Paul, Les, Mark, Shannon and Glen.

Darrel Cunningham was born on January 23, 1948 in Kelvington, Saskatchewan to Robert and Alice Cunningham. He holds a degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Saskatchewan.

Prior to entering provincial politics, Cunningham farmed in the Lintlaw area. He was also a farm management instructor and served on the boards of the East Central Co-op and Lintlaw Credit Union.

Cunningham was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1991 and served as the New Democratic Party MLA for the Canora Constituency until 1995. He served in the Roy Romanow cabinet as Minister of Rural Development (1991-1992); Minister of Parks and Renewable Resources (1991-1992); Minister of Natural Resources (1992); Minister of Agriculture and Food (1992-1995); and Minister of Highways and Transportation (1993).

Cunningham was also Minister Responsible for the following: Saskatchewan Wetlands Conservation Corporation (1991-1992); Saskatchewan Liquor Board and Licensing Commission (1991-1992); Saskatchewan Forest Products Corporation (1991-1992); Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (1991-1995); Saskatchewan Water Corporation (1991-1992); Agricultural Credit Corporation of Saskatchewan (1992-1995); Agriculture Development Fund (1992-1995); Saskatchewan Transportation Company (1993); Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation (1993); and Highway Traffic Board (1993).

Cunningham retired from political life in July 1995. He currently (2010) resides on his farm near Lintlaw, Saskatchewan.

Darrel and Donna Cunningham have two children: Dara and Lisa.

Eldon Floyd Lautermilch was born on September 9, 1949 in LaFleche, Saskatchewan to Milton and Selma Helen (Fauser) Lautermilch. He has one sister, Shirley. He attended LaFleche School and the Saskatchewan Technical Institute.

After moving to Prince Albert in 1970, Lautermilch worked at Mac's TV and Radio Ltd. before taking over the family business, Old Fashion Foods, in 1978.

Lautermilch was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1986 and served as the New Democratic Party MLA for Prince Albert -Duck Lake constituency (1986-1991) and the Prince Albert Northcote constituency (1991-2007).

Lautermilch served in the Roy Romanow and Lorne Calvert Governments as Minister of Natural Resources (1992-1993); Minister of Rural Development (1992-1993); Minister of Energy and Mines (1995-2001); Minister of Economic and Cooperative Development (2001-2002); Minister of Industry and Resources (2002-2003); Minister of Aboriginal Affairs (2003); Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (2003); and Minister of Highways and Transportation (2005-2007).

Lautermilch was also Minister Responsible for the following: Saskatchewan Forest Products Corporation (1992-1995); Saskatchewan Water Corporation (1992-1993, 1995-1997); Saskatchewan Liquor Board and Licensing Commission (1992-1993); Saskatchewan Wetlands Conservation Corporation (1992-1993); Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation (1993-1995); Saskatchewan Gaming Commission (1993-1995); SaskEnergy Inc. (1995-1997); Saskatchewan Power Corporation (1995-1997); Souris Basin Development Authority (1995-1996); Saskatchewan Energy Conservation and Development Authority (1995-1998); Saskatchewan Research Council (1995-2001, 2002-2003); Saskatchewan Government Growth Fund Management Corporation (2001-2003); Tourism Authority (2001-2003); Saskatchewan Opportunities Corporation (2001-2003); Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority (2003); Saskatchewan Transportation Company (2005-2007); Highway Traffic Board (2005-2007); Property Management (2006-2007); and Forestry Secretariat (2006-2007).

On May 24, 2007, Lautermilch announced that he would not seek re-election. Lautermilch currently (2010) resides in Regina.

Lautermilch married Loretta Gail Brooks on October 17, 1970. They have three children: Rae, Eldon and Joanne.