Saskatoon MLA Roger Parent, 63, dies in hospital

Saskatchewan MLA Roger Parent has died.

Only yesterday, the provincial government announced that the representative for Saskatoon Meewasin had been diagnosed with cancer.

• Saskatoon MLA Roger Parent diagnosed with cancer

Parent died Tuesday night at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon surrounded by family. He was 63.

"Our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to Roger's family," Premier Brad Wall said in a news release. "This is a huge shock to all of us. Roger was here in the Assembly carrying out his duties throughout most of the fall session and only learned he had cancer in the past couple of weeks.

"This is a sad day and sudden loss for all of us who knew Roger."

Politicians in Ottawa mark passing of Sask. MLA Roger Parent

8 years ago

Duration 1:18

Parent, 63, had been an MLA since 2011 and represented residents of Saskatoon Meewasin.

Flags at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building will fly at half-mast this morning. As well, Parent's chair will be draped today.

Interim NDP leader Trent Wotherspoonalso offered his condolences.

"On behalf of the Official Opposition and all Saskatchewan New Democrats, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Roger's wife Sheila and their family for this tremendous loss," wrote Wotherspoon in a news release. "I'd also like to take a moment to extend my thoughts and sympathies to the Saskatchewan Party caucus and staff for their loss of a valuable friend and colleague."

Parent hadbeen an MLAsince 2011. He hadserved on a number of committees, including the Standing Committee for Human Services, the Standing Committee for Private Bills and the Special Committee on Traffic Safety.

Before he was elected, Parent was also involved with the Saskatoon Homelessness Initiative Partnership, SREDA Aboriginal Economic Development Committee, Saskatchewan Committee on Aboriginal Procurement and Mtis Nation Saskatchewan.