Series F 194-10 - Chronological Correspondence series

Dwain Matthew Lingenfelter was born on February 27, 1949 in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan to Robert and Mary (Harty) Lingenfelter. He attended the University of Saskatchewan, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Lingenfelter was a farmer and small businessman when he was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1978. He served as the New Democratic Party Member of the Legislative Assembly (M.L.A.) for the Shaunavon (1978-1986) and Regina Elphinstone (1986-2000) constituencies.

Lingenfelter served in the Blakeney and Romanow Governments as Minister of Social Services (1980-1982); Minister of Economic Diversification and Trade (1991-1992); Minister of Economic Development (1992-1997); Deputy Premier (1995-2000); Minister of Economic and Co-operative Development (1997); Minister of Crown Investments Corporation (1997-1999); and Minister of Agriculture and Food (1999-2000).

Lingenfelter was also Minister Responsible for the following: Saskatchewan Economic Development Corporation (1991-1995); Saskatchewan Government Growth Fund Management Corporation (1991-1997); Souris Basin Development Authority (1991-1992); SaskEnergy (1991-1992); Saskatchewan Government Insurance (1991-1992); Saskatchewan Power Corporation (1991-1992); Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (1994-1995); Saskatchewan Opportunities Corporation (1994-1997); Saskatchewan Tourism Authority (1994-1997); Agricultural Credit Corporation of Saskatchewan (1999-2000); Milk Control Board (1999-2000); Saskatchewan Beef Stabilization Board (1999-2000); Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (1999-2000); and Agricultural and Food Products Development and Marketing Council (1999-2000).

Lingenfelter served as Opposition House Leader from 1982 to 1986 and again from 1988 to 1991. He was also Opposition Critic on privatization and Saskatchewan Government Insurance. He was Government House Leader from 1991 to 1995.

Lingenfelter resigned from Cabinet on July 6, 2000 and vacated his seat in the Legislative Assembly on August 31, 2000. In September, 2000, he became vice-president of government relations at Canadian Occidental Petroleum (later Nexen Inc.) in Calgary, Alberta.

On October 20, 2008, Lingenfelter announced his candidacy for Leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party. He won the leadership vote on June 6, 2009 and succeeded Lorne Calvert as Leader. As the New Democratic Party candidate, Lingenfelter won a by-election in the Regina Douglas Park constituency on September 21, 2009. He was sworn into the Legislative Assembly on October 19, 2009. He served as Leader of the Opposition and Opposition Agriculture Critic in the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly until he was defeated in the 2011 general election. Upon his defeat, he resigned as Leader.

Lingenfelter is married to Rubiela Lingenfelter, with whom he has two children: Sahid and Hannah. He has two sons and a daughter (Matthew, Travis and Sacha) from a previous marriage.

Eric Malcolm Thomas Upshall was born on December 24, 1951 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan to Herbert and Maryanne (McLeay) Upshall. He was raised on the family farm near Saltcoats and attended Yorkton Regional High School and the University of Saskatchewan.

Prior to entering politics, Upshall farmed near Young, SK. and was a partner in a commercial grain cleaning business. He also served on the local Saskatchewan Wheat Pool committee and was a member of the Family Farm Foundation and National Farmers Union.

Upshall was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1986 and served as the New Democratic Party MLA for the Humboldt (1986-1995) and Watrous (1995-1999) Constituencies. He also served in the Roy Romanow cabinet from 1995 to 1999 as Minister of Agriculture and Food and Minister Responsible for: Agricultural Credit Corporation of Saskatchewan; Milk Control Board; Saskatchewan Beef Stabilization Board; Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation; Agricultural and Food Products Development and Marketing Council.

After retiring from political life in 1999, Upshall worked as a livestock development specialist for Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food. Upshall currently (2004) resides in Young, SK. and operates a bison ranch and the Manitou Beach Store in Watrous.

Upshall has three children: Eve, McLeay and Jordon.