Ed Komarnicki occupied various roles during his political career. The MP for Souris-Moose Mountain has served as parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. He was the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and to the Minister of Labour. Komarnicki currently serves as the chair of the standing committee for human resources and skills development and the status of persons with disabilities. But throughout all these roles Ed Komarnicki decided that his current role as MP will end in 2015. Komarnicki will not run in the 2015 elections.
"My sense was that it was time for someone with new ideas and new energy and that it was time for me to step aside. And really from the perspective of the constituency and the board itself, it was somewhat important that they knew from early on so that they could take steps for the transition process so that those who might be interested would have plenty of time to organize and get ready for really a what is a great constituency and an exciting time in politics," he said.
"So I fully expect that there will be a lot of interest in this position and of course there are a number of things that have to happen. Eventually a candidate selection process, nomination process, so there is a sequence of events that would take place and of course until 2015 I'm still the MP and we have a lot of work to do that must continue to happen and I'm quite happy to do that."
Komarnicki announced the news in a press release on Feb. 28 through his website and subsequent flyers were issued through the mail in his constituency. "There comes a time when you have to decide whether you will run again, and that time for me is now. In fairness to the Souris - Moose Mountain Conservative board and to the constituency, I felt it important to announce my decision early in this term," Komarnicki explained in the press release.
A Saskatchewan native, Komarnicki practiced law in Estevan for more than 30 years and worked his way into politics. He served on various committees but has represented Western Canada on numerous fronts. His speeches in the House of Commons are noticeably remembered for defending what is Western Canada's strongest economical pull, farming. "Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak to the bill because it is opening up new opportunities for Western Canadian wheat and barley farmers. That is good news, because there is a growing demand worldwide for the high quality grain they grow. As part of our commitment to help farmers make their money from the marketplace, we plan to deliver on our promise to provide marketing freedom to Western Canadian grain farmers," Komarnicki emphasized during the first session of parliament on October 24, 2011.
During a one on one with the Observer he said that although he will soon be stepping down he is still the MP until 2015 and emphasized that one of his main focus is community infrastructure. Dealing with constituency issues he said is also a top of his list and stressed that there are many people with specific issues that need help.
Komarnicki said he has had many highpoints in his career but said being in parliament during Canada's official apology to Chinese Canadian for Head Tax and the exclusion of Chinese immigrants from 1923 until 1947. And also their apology to Aboriginal people regarding the Indian Residential Schoolsystem ranks at the top for him.
"I found those moments to be quite emotional one, it's hard to describe we were hearing from people speaking and actually seeing the people affected and being there was another highlight for sure for me," he said.
Komarnicki said he doesn't have any specific plans after he steps down in 2015 but knows he will be taking some months off for himself but said if he has any energy left he will see where it takes him.
