Lori Carr

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Honourable

| name = Lori Carr

| honorific-suffix = MLA

| image =

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| birth_date =

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| profession =

| party = Saskatchewan Party

| party colour =

| residence = Estevan, Saskatchewan

| constituency_AM = Estevan-Big Muddy
Estevan (2016-2024)

| assembly = Saskatchewan Legislative

| term_start = April 4, 2016

| term_end =

| predecessor = Doreen Eagles

| successor =

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}}

Lori Carr is a Canadian politician, who was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in the 2016 provincial election. She represents the electoral district of Estevan-Big Muddy as a member of the Saskatchewan Party. She has served as a cabinet minister in the government of Premier Scott Moe.

Political career

Carr was first elected to represent the electoral district of Estevan in the 2016 provincial election, succeeding long-time MLA Doreen Eagles. Carr was re-elected in 2020 and again in 2024, in the expanded district of Estevan-Big Muddy.{{Cite news |last=Willberg |first=David |date=2024-10-29 |title=Lori Carr reacts to her election win and smaller Sask. Party majority |url=https://www.sasktoday.ca/elections/saskvotes2024/carr-takes-commanding-lead-in-estevan-big-muddy-9723720 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241119184103/https://www.sasktoday.ca/elections/saskvotes2024/carr-takes-commanding-lead-in-estevan-big-muddy-9723720 |archive-date=2024-11-19 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=Sask Today}}

Carr was first appointed to Cabinet by Premier Scott Moe in August 2018 when she became Minister of Highways and Infrastructure.{{Cite news |date=2018-08-15 |title=Sask. premier makes changes to cabinet after departure of Lyle Stewart |url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-premier-makes-changes-to-cabinet-after-departure-of-lyle-stewart-1.4054500 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815230558/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-premier-makes-changes-to-cabinet-after-departure-of-lyle-stewart-1.4054500 |archive-date=2018-08-15 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=CTV News |location=Regina}} One year later, Carr was shuffled to become Minister of Government Relations, as well as the Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, despite her southern district not containing any First Nations.{{Cite news |date=2019-08-13 |title=Sask. Premier shuffles three cabinet ministers, adds new portfolio for seniors |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-premier-scott-moe-announces-new-cabinet-1.5245254 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815065950/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-premier-scott-moe-announces-new-cabinet-1.5245254 |archive-date=2019-08-15 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=CBC News}} In November 2020, following that year's general election, Carr began her longest stint in charge of any portfolio when she was named Minister of Social Services.{{Cite news |last=Djuric |first=Mickey |date=2020-11-09 |title=Premier Scott Moe names new Saskatchewan cabinet, 1st woman in over 30 years becomes deputy premier |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7451491/scott-moe-new-saskatchewan-cabinet-donna-harpauer-woman-deputy-premier/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109174041/https://globalnews.ca/news/7451491/scott-moe-new-saskatchewan-cabinet-donna-harpauer-woman-deputy-premier/ |archive-date=2020-11-09 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=Global News}}

In 2019, that ministry had introduced reforms to the welfare system, consolidating some programs in the Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program.{{Cite news |date=2019-06-18 |title=Sask. announces new social assistance program to replace 2 others |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-new-social-assistance-program-repleaces-2-others-1.5179941 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622072819/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-new-social-assistance-program-repleaces-2-others-1.5179941 |archive-date=2019-06-22 |access-date=2023-10-21 |work=CBC News}} By 2021, social workers, housing advocates, landlords, and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations all argued that those reforms were fueling a housing and homelessness crisis in the province.{{Cite news |last=Dayal |first=Pratyush |date=2021-10-19 |title=New social assistance program is fuelling homelessness in Saskatoon, say advocates and landlords |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/new-social-assistance-program-fuelling-homelessness-in-saskatoon-1.6215506 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019205432/https://www.cbc.ca/news/new-social-assistance-program-fuelling-homelessness-in-saskatoon-1.6215506 |archive-date=2021-10-19 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=CBC News}}{{Cite news |last=Salloum |first=Alec |date=2021-11-01 |title=FSIN calls for Social Services to conduct an 'internal review' of SIS program |url=https://leaderpost.com/news/politics/fsin-calls-for-social-services-to-conduct-an-internal-review-of-sis-program |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102092351/https://leaderpost.com/news/politics/fsin-calls-for-social-services-to-conduct-an-internal-review-of-sis-program |archive-date=2021-11-02 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=Regina Leader-Post}} This resulted in the establishment of Camp Marjorie, a homeless encampment, in Regina.{{Cite news |last=Silverthorn |first=Colleen |date=2021-10-27 |title=Saskatchewan's new income support program doesn't give people enough money to cover rent: social worker |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/homeless-income-support-program-social-services-1.6227225 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027234538/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/homeless-income-support-program-social-services-1.6227225 |archive-date=2021-10-27 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=CBC News}} Carr stood by the program, stating that it was designed to see "clients become more independent", committing only to "watch as we move forward and see what's happening". In 2022, Carr stated during a debate in the Legislature that anyone having difficulty finding shelter should contact her office; this led to a poster campaign urging homeless people to call Carr directly.{{Cite news |last=O'Donovan |first=Connor |date=2022-03-24 |title=Call Social Services Minister Carr if in need of shelter, poster campaign urges |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8701276/social-services-minister-carr-poster-campaign/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325141616/https://globalnews.ca/news/8701276/social-services-minister-carr-poster-campaign/ |archive-date=2022-03-25 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=Global News}}

Carr was tasked by the province's Advocate for Children and Youth with reforming conditions in group homes after repeated reports of neglect, abuse, and unsafe conditions. The Advocate's initial report was submitted to the government in March 2021; a November 2021 report urged the Ministry to accelerate reforms.{{Cite news |last=Pasiuk |first=Emily Rae |date=2021-11-10 |title='Stuff of nightmares': Followup report details more mistreatment of children in Sask. group homes |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/children-youth-advocate-report-group-homes-1.6244079 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111144137/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/children-youth-advocate-report-group-homes-1.6244079 |archive-date=2021-11-11 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=CBC News}}

In May 2022, Carr was shuffled from Social Services to SaskBuilds and Procurement.{{Cite news |date=2022-05-31 |title=Moe shuffles cabinet; Eyre first woman to hold Justice portfolio in Sask. |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/moe-shuffles-cabinet-first-justice-minister-1.6472458 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602010757/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/moe-shuffles-cabinet-first-justice-minister-1.6472458 |archive-date=2022-06-02 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=CBC News}} In August 2023, in another shuffle, Carr was named Minister of Highways, returning to her first cabinet portfolio.{{Cite news |last=Prisciak |first=David |last2=Bamford |first2=Allison |date=2023-08-29 |title=Merriman, Duncan moved to new portfolios in major Sask. cabinet shuffle |url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/merriman-duncan-moved-to-new-portfolios-in-major-sask-cabinet-shuffle-1.6539597 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902032449/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/merriman-duncan-moved-to-new-portfolios-in-major-sask-cabinet-shuffle-1.6539597 |archive-date=2023-09-02 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=CTV News |location=Regina}} Following the 2024 general election, Carr replaced Tim McLeod as the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors, and Rural and Remote Health; Carr was also named Deputy House Leader.{{Cite news |last=Simes |first=Jeremy |date=2024-11-07 |title=Premier Scott Moe unveils new, smaller Sask. cabinet and says change room policy no longer 1st priority |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/scott-moe-new-smaller-cabinent-shuffle-1.7376658 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112223243/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/scott-moe-new-smaller-cabinent-shuffle-1.7376658 |archive-date=2024-11-12 |access-date=2024-11-18 |work=CBC News}}

Controversies

In May 2024, Carr was named by Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Randy Weekes as being part of a campaign of bullying and intimidation aimed at influencing the Speaker's rulings in favour of the government. Weekes alleged that Carr, who was serving as Deputy House Leader, frequently sent him harassing text messages about proceedings and rulings in the Legislature, along with then-House Leader Jeremy Harrison and deputy premier Donna Harpauer.{{Cite news |last=Simes |first=Jeremy |date=2024-05-16 |title=Saskatchewan Speaker says he was harassed, threatened by government MLAs |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/canadian-press-weekes-1.7207134 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517140650/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/canadian-press-weekes-1.7207134 |archive-date=2024-05-17 |access-date=2024-11-13 |work=CBC News |agency=The Canadian Press}}{{Cite news |last=Hunter |first=Adam |date=2024-05-18 |title=Sask. Speaker makes waves in pair of speeches on his way out |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-party-weekes-speaker-1.7206073 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518163814/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-party-weekes-speaker-1.7206073 |archive-date=2024-05-18 |access-date=2024-11-13 |work=CBC News}}

Electoral history

{{Canadian election result/top|SK|2024|Estevan-Big Muddy|percent=yes|prelim=no}}

{{CANelec/source|Source: Elections Saskatchewan{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.sk.ca/ |title=2024 General Election Official Results |publisher=Elections Saskatchewan|date=2024-11-09|access-date=2024-11-13}}}}

{{Canadian election result/top|SK|2020|Estevan-Big Muddy|Estevan|percent=yes|prelim=no}}

{{CANelec/source|Source: Elections Saskatchewan{{cite web|url=https://cdn.elections.sk.ca/upload/2020-Statement-of-Votes-Volume-1-web-viewing.pdf |title=A Report on the Twenty-Ninth General Election, Volume I: Statement of Votes |publisher=Elections Saskatchewan|date=2021-06-30|access-date=2024-10-28}}}}

{{Canadian election result/top|SK|2016|Estevan-Big Muddy|Estevan|percent=yes|prelim=no}}

{{CANelec/source|Source: [https://www.saskarchives.com/sites/default/files/pdf/2019_elections_results_by_electoral_division.pdf Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division]; Elections Saskatchewan{{cite web|url=http://results.elections.sk.ca/|title=2016 General Election Results|publisher=Elections Saskatchewan|date=4 April 2016|access-date=5 April 2016}}}}