Saskatchewan

On the Ledge: Speaker Mark Docherty talks about his personal and political journey

This week On the Ledge features Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Mark Docherty.

On the Ledge podcast with Speaker Mark Docherty

A man in a suit hold a tricorn hat.
Speaker Mark Docherty shows off his new tricorn hat, a perk of the new job. (CBC)

He has a fancy new title and a hat to match.

This week On the Ledge features Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Mark Docherty.

Docherty jokingly said there was one reason why he wanted to become speaker, "The hat, I wanted to wear the hat. It is pretty cool. I wanted to wear the tricorn."

The Saskatchewan Party MLA has represented Regina Coronation Park since 2011 and was elected to the new role of speaker on Mar. 12.

He said one of the real reasons he wanted the responsibility was to invite the public into the legislature, specifically newcomers and the Indigenous community.

"It is there legislature, it's not just the big marble palace, it's everybody's building."

Docherty has multiple sclerosis and discussed his battle with the disease.

"It's been a journey that's the best way to describe it. MS is one of those disorders, diseases where you are constantly looking for the solution and at this point it's no cause and no cure."

About On the Ledge

On the Ledge is a weekly CBC podcast that makes Saskatchewan politics personal.

Each week, host Adam Hunter will look at the people behind the stories at the Saskatchewan legislature. 

You can download episodes of On the Ledge at CBC podcasts, on iTunes or the podcast app of your choice.