The province’s poor handling of the Planned Parenthood situation at Lumsden High School — and accompanying lack of transparency and accountability — is one reason Jon Hromek wants to be that area’s new MLA.
Planned Parenthood gave a presentation to students on June 19 involving sexual materials, which included graphic sexual vocabulary playing cards with each letter of the alphabet.
On June 22, Education Minister Dustin Duncan suspended Planned Parenthood from presenting in schools and said the ministry would review all sexual education information to ensure it was age appropriate.
“When Minister Duncan basically blamed Planned Parenthood, and then when Premier (Scott) Moe threw the media under the bus about that, that’s probably the straw that broke the camel’s back for me,” said Hromek.
“To me, transparency and accountability of the government is really important, as well as parental rights in education,” he continued. “In this community (of Lumsden) and around the province, parents are feeling like they’re pushed out of education for their children.”
Hromek is running in the Aug. 10 Lumsden-Morse constituency byelection for the Saskatchewan United Party (SUP). The conservative-based party formed in November 2022, making him the SUP’s first-ever candidate — a fact he finds exciting.
Also running are Kaitlyn Stadnyk for the NDP and Blaine McLeod for the Sask. Party.
Hromek, his wife Jenn, and four children live in the Lumsden area. He coaches youth football and volunteers in his church, while he has acquired extensive experience in Saskatchewan’s energy sector after graduating from the University of Regina in 2003 with a degree in petroleum engineering.
Hromek has founded and managed numerous oil exploration and production companies and serves as the chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Adonai Resources II Corporation.
The main problem with how the province handled the Planned Parenthood situation is Duncan — and Moe — failed to apologize for what happened even though he is his ministry’s CEO, Hromek said.
A similar situation in the corporate world would be considered a “colossal failure of process,” which means this issue needs to be more seriously addressed than simply suspending Planned Parenthood, he continued.
“We’ve heard this before. Anytime that there’s a problem, well then there’s a reaction and then a review, and nothing seems to ever come out of it,” he said, adding it’s odd how this information was allowed into the classroom when most educational material must pass through several layers of vetting within the ministry.
Another issue concerning Hromek is Saskatchewan’s sovereignty. He believes the province needs to be more autonomous and make fewer restrictive deals with Ottawa.
Furthermore, he believes Saskatchewan’s agriculture and oil and gas industries need better defence from federal intrusions such as the carbon tax and additional taxes on fertilizer, heating fuel use and other regulations.
“The monetary wealth of this province is tied in resources. And it’s been under attack for many years and we need to push back on that,” said Hromek. “We want to have a senior seat at the table with Confederation and work that way.”
Hromek has always had an interest in politics because of his profession. As an oil executive, he has met with many provincial energy ministers and premiers and encouraged them to open Saskatchewan for further investment.
However, those pleas were ignored, so he and his wife decided to jump into politics to give a voice to underrepresented people and small businesses.
“Our kids’ futures is very important. And where is that going to be in five … (to) 10 years from now if we don’t step up and start taking responsibility and doing our part for this province?” he said.
Hromek considers himself a problem-solver, a necessary skill in an industry that has faced attacks since 2015. He can put the needs of stakeholders above his own, make agreements, and accomplish goals.
“In the corporate world, you’re known by your fruit and not your suit,” he stated.
Hromek believes voters are open to supporting a third party — including one offering a true conservative message — since many are frustrated with the current government. The SUP’s message of “people over politics” is resonating since voters want a common-sense party.
Hromek added that residents should vote for him because he brings a different perspective to politics and is a “get ’er done” type of guy.
