Greg was first elected as the MLA for Yorkton in the 2007 provincial election. He was re-elected in 2011 and 2016. Born in Regina, Greg is a long-time resident of Yorkton and a man who has always been involved in his community. Prior to being elected, Greg owned and operated Ottenbreit Waste Systems, a private environmental and waste disposal business. He is an avid motorsports enthusiast and commercial pilot.
Greg has been married to his high school sweetheart, Leone, for over 30 years. They have two daughters, Katelin and Rayanne, as well as a son-in-law, Austin, and one granddaughter, Wynnslet.
In 1998, the couple started "Brayden Ottenbreit Close Cuts for Cancer" – an event that encourages volunteers to shave their heads to raise money for cancer research and local initiatives. The charity is named in honour of their son, Brayden, who lost his battle with cancer in 2000 at age 5. Over $800,000 has been raised for cancer research and local cancer initiatives. In recognition of these efforts, they received the Community Merit Award in 2016, presented by the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce.
Because of their community involvement and volunteerism, Greg and his wife Leone were recognized in 2005 with the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal. Greg was recognized again in 2012 with the Hal Rogers Fellow Award, the highest honour presented by the Kinsmen of Canada.
Greg has served as the Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Social Services (Community Based Organizations initiative), Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Environment (Recycling), and Legislative Secretary to the Premier (Vulnerable Youth). Greg has also served as Government Whip, Deputy Government Whip, and Chair of the caucus' standing policy committee on human services as well as the legislature's Standing Committee on Human Services.
Since September of 2014, Greg has serves Saskatchewan as Minister responsible for Rural and Remote Health. Additionally, in June 2016, he was asked to take on the responsibility for the Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations Advisory Committee.
God of all
ReplyDeleteWe pray for our province with hopes that those elected to lead, at every level, will work now for your people. We pray these men and women will humble themselves to the sacred task of governing for the people who cast votes, not the corporations and wealthy individuals who paid for influence. We pray for legislators who will care about jobs for the unemployed and underemployed, education and opportunity for children, and health care for all, especially the most vulnerable among us.
We pray for laws that will protect and respect the resources of our province, not a thing to be owned and exploited for profit by a few. We pray for regulations that will harness the hubris and greed of the financial sector. We pray for governance that knows the difference between a financial system and an economy, the one that has become a perverted and unregulated industry, the other a respect for all human life.
We pray for wisdom not rhetoric; generosity not indifference, and justice not patronage. We want legislators working across the aisle, not erecting barriers like the border walls that imprison even those who seek to keep others out. We pray for a just sharing in the expense of government, let those blessed with great wealth give according to their means, let all give as they are able.
We pray for leaders gifted in diplomacy, blessed with character and integrity; leaders who know our security comes from relationships of trust and communication.
For our part give us the patience to give our leaders a chance to govern with grace, compassion, justice, and love. Let us support sincere effort and celebrate wise compromise. Make us accountable to our faith and so hold those we elect accountable to serve all the people, not just those who can afford to pay for self-serving polices.
May we never cease to pray, and to hope, and to work for justice for all.
Amen.