Greg Ottenbreit (born November 18, 1963) is a Canadian politician. He was elected to represent the electoral district of Yorkton in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in the 2007 election. He is a member of the Saskatchewan Party.[1]
Greg Ottenbreit | |
|---|---|
 Ottenbreit in 2019. | |
| Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly for Yorkton | |
| Assumed office November 7, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Clay Serby |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 18, 1963 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Political party | Saskatchewan Party |
| Residence(s) | Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada |
Before his election, Ottenbreit owned and operated Ottenbreit Waste Systems Limited along with his brother Grant.
On January 27, 2017, Ottenbreit revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer.[2]
On May 29, 2023, Ottenbreit announced he will not seek re-election in the next election, expected in 2024, but will remain an MLA until then.[3]
Political Views edit
Abortion edit
In 2019 speech, Ottenbreit told an anti-abortion group to continue their "battle" and “I’ll continue to do what I can in my professional capacity," as the rural and remote health minister.[4] Premier Scott Moe, who shares Ottenbreit's anti-abortion views, stated that the comments crossed a "small line" and that "We will choose our words more carefully."[5] Ottenbreit had previously attended as an MLA the anti-abortion March for Life rallies in Ottawa and Regina in the past.[6][7]
COVID-19 "Cure" edit
During the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, Ottenbreit drew criticism for sharing a tweet that people could "pray and repent" to cure their illness from the virus. Ottenbreit said in the tweet "I guess it worked a few thousand years ago ... couldn't hurt," but then later deleted the post.[8]
First Nations People edit
In 2011, Ottenbreit argued against resource revenue-sharing with First Nations, suggesting that First Nations people who get "handouts" would spend it on drugs and alcohol.[9] The comment drew calls for Ottenbreit's resignation from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, who called the remarks “very hurtful and very inappropriate.”[10]
Religion edit
In October 2020, Ottenbreit shared a Thanksgiving message from Texas Pastor Ed Newton, an American preacher who has shared anti-LGBT views and whose church labels homosexuality as an addiction. Ottenbreit has shared messages from pastor John Hagee as well, another social conservative who had referred to the Roman Catholic Church as "the great whore", claimed Adolf Hitler was fulfilling God's will, promoted conspiratorial views about Jewish people, and claimed Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights. Ottenbreit said he was interested in Hagee's theory of "Blood Moons", which claims that lunar eclipses coinciding with Jewish holidays would trigger a war in Israel and usher in the return of Jesus Christ.[11]
Cabinet positions edit
References edit
- ^ "Close constituencies: some safe, most nail-biters". CBC News. 7 November 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ "MLA Greg Ottenbreit who lost son to cancer faces cancer battle himself". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. January 27, 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
- ^ "Two Sask Party MLA's not running in 2024".
- ^ "Ottenbreit gave speech to pro-life group amid abortion pill debate". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. April 10, 2019.
- ^ "Sask. premier says 'small line' crossed by cabinet minister's comments at anti-abortion event". CBC News. April 15, 2019.
- ^ "March for Life brings message to political halls of power". Catholic Registrar, March 12, 2017.
- ^ "Regina Pro-Life Rally". Archdiocese of Regina.
- ^ "Sask. cabinet minister deletes 'pray and repent' tweet related to COVID-19". CBC News. March 29, 2020.
- ^ "Sask. Party candidate apologizes over First Nations remark". CBC News. October 21, 2011.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Party candidate's remark prompts calls for his resignation". Postmedia News. October 25, 2011.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Party Candidate Promoted Messages From an Anti-Gay Preacher and a Doomsday Prophet". Press Progress. October 14, 2020.
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