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Lorne Calvert became Leader of the Official Opposition after his incumbent New Democratic Party was defeated by the Saskatchewan Party in the provincial election held November 7, 2007. He served as the province’s 13th Premier, from 2001 to 2007.

Calvert has served as the Saskatchewan NDP leader since January 2001 after its previous leader, Roy Romanow, retired from politics. In assuming the NDP leadership mantle, Calvert also assumed the duties of premier. He was subsequently elected as the MLA for Saskatoon Riversdale in a by-election in March 2001, and was re-elected as MLA and Premier in the November 2003 provincial general election.

He entered provincial politics in 1986 as the MLA for Moose Jaw South. He was re-elected in 1991 and 1995 as the MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow. Calvert served as a Cabinet Minister from 1992 until 1998 in the New Democratic Party, in Premier Roy Romanow’s government, holding many portfolios: Associate Minister of Health; Minister Responsible for the Wakamow Valley Authority; Minister Responsible for SaskPower and SaskEnergy; Minister of Health; Minister of Social Services; Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission; Minister Responsible for Seniors; and Minister Responsible for the Office of Disabilities.

Calvert was born on December 24, 1954, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where he was also raised and educated. He studied economics at the University of Regina and theology at the University of Saskatchewan. Calvert was ordained in the United Church of Canada in 1976. Prior to entering politics, he served congregations in Perdue, Gravelbourg, Bateman, Shamrock, Coderre, Palmer, and Moose Jaw. Calvert and his wife Betty Sluzalo of Perdue, Saskatchewan, have two children.