Don McMorris behind wheel of government vehicle at time of impaired driving charge

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says his former deputy premier Don McMorris was driving a government vehicle through a construction zonewhen he was charged with impaired driving on Friday.

McMorris announced news of the charge andhis subsequent resignation from cabinet on Saturday morning.

• Sask. deputy premier DonMcMorrisresigns from cabinet after impaired-driving charge

McMorriswas responsible for the provincial insurer SGI and the liquor and gaming authority,SLGA, along with his deputy premier role. He was also the minister for Crown Investments, Public Service Commission and Lean Initiative.

Jim Reitertakes on minister duties

Wallhas named JimReiterthe interim replacement for some of former deputy premier DonMcMorris'sministerial roles.

Reiterwill take over as interim minister responsible for the provincial insurer SGI and the liquor and gaming authority,SLGA, as well as for the Public Service Commission.

The new duties are added toReiter'slengthy list of currentresponsibilitiesas the minister of government relations, minister responsible for First Nations,Mtisand northern affairs and minister responsible forSaskEnergyandSaskTel.

"JimReiterhas been a strong and capable minister for our government in all of the portfolios he has held and I know he will do a good job of handing these additional duties," Wall said in a statement.

McMorris seeking counselling

McMorrissaid he received the impaired driving charge while returning home from the FortQu'Appelleregion. He said he was pulled over in a construction zone near White City, a community about 10 kilometres east of Regina.

Wall saidMcMorrishad been driving a government vehicle at the time, during the day on Friday.

On Saturday morning,McMorrisapologized for his actions.

I'm very disappointed. This was a terrible decision that he made.- SaskatchewanPremier Brad Wall

"I never should have gotten behind the wheel after drinking. I know better," saidMcMorrison Saturday. "I am very sorry and take responsibility for my actions."

McMorris also said he'll be seekingcounselling, but didn't say in what form.

Premier 'disappointed'

Wall said he was "very disappointed" in McMorris's actions and accepted the resignation.

"I'm very disappointed. This was a terrible decision that he made," he said.

As minister responsible for SGI,McMorrisspoke out against drunk driving as part of the launch of a new provincial awareness campaign in May.

"We've worked hard in this province through awareness programsand by toughening up laws, to send a pretty clear message about drinking and driving. And so, you know, when I talked to him on Friday and accepted his resignation,there's just great disappointment around this," Wall said.

• Impaired driving still number one killer on Sask. roads

Wall confirmed that whileMcMorris is still a member of the Sask. Party, and is still an MLA, he is nolonger a Sask. Party MLA and now sits as an independent.

Deputy premier position to remain vacant

Wall said the deputy premier position will remain vacant until an upcoming cabinet shuffle, whichWall promisedin the provincial election in April.

He said the shuffle will take place in two to three weeks.

When asked about whetherthe former deputy premierwould ever be appointed to a cabinet position again, Wall said things down the road will be determined by howMcMorris"avails himself in terms ofcounsellingand support."

"I haven't thought much about who will never, ever be in cabinet and who will be in cabinet forever," he said.

• DonMcMorriscould bounce back from impaired driving scandal, says analyst

Previous impaired driving convictions in Sask. Party

McMorris is not the first member of the Saskatchewan Party to receive an impaired driving charge.

During the provincial election in April it was revealed that 3 candidates from the Sask. Party had impaired driving convictions. There were also two NDP candidates with previous convictions.

Wall at the time said he was "more than comfortable" knowing about the past criminal convictions, and added that parties need to be accountable for the teams they put together.

On Monday, Wall said the government will keep working to reduce incidents of impaired driving as well as deaths linked to it.

"We have the dubious distinction of being a leader in this category. We need to stop this."