Honoured for his service to both Canada and the United States, Lyle Stewart has been awarded the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region’s (PNWER) Alan Bluechel Award during their 29th Annual Summit in Saskatoon.

Stewart, the MLA for Lumsden-Morse in Saskatchewan and former Minister of Agriculture, increased understanding between Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the border states of Montana, Idaho, and Washington state. Born and raised near Pense, Saskatchewan he plans to seek re-election next year for his sixth term in office. 

The Annual Summit serves as a platform for delegates to explore shared challenges in the region, discuss best practices, strengthen regional relationships, and develop action plans for the future.

Stewart was also the minister responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, Minister for Enterprise and Innovation, and served as Saskatchewan’s first President of PNWER. Lyle was also one of the first members in the Saskatchewan Party and was elected to the Legislative Assembly as the MLA for Thunder Creek in 1999. He was re-elected in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2016.

Each year, PNWER recognizes a person who has gone beyond their own interests to build trust and cooperation across the U.S.-Canada border.

The award is named in honour of PNWER’s founder, former Washington State Senator Alan Bluechel.