Greg Ottenbreit (born November 18, 1963) is a

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

politician. He was elected to represent the electoral district of

Yorkton Yorkton is a city located in south-eastern Saskatchewan, Canada. It is about 450 kilometres north-west of Winnipeg and 300 kilometres south-east of Saskatoon and is the sixth largest city in the province. As of 2017 the census population of the ...

in the

Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan The Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan is the legislative chamber of the Saskatchewan Legislature in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. Bills passed by the assembly are given royal assent by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, in the na ...

in the 2007 election. He is a member of the Saskatchewan Party. 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.

Political Views

Abortion

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. Premier

Scott Moe Scott Moe (born July 31, 1973) is a Canadian politician serving as the 15th and current premier of Saskatchewan since February 2, 2018. He is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for the riding of Rosthern-Shellbrook, first elect ...

, who shares Ottenbreit's anti-abortion views, stated that the comments crossed a "small line" and that "We will choose our words more carefully." Ottenbreit had previously attended as an MLA the anti-abortion March for Life rallies in Ottawa and Regina in the past.

COVID-19 "Cure"

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.

First Nations People

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. The comment drew calls for Ottenbreit's resignation from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, who called the remarks “very hurtful and very inappropriate.”

Religion

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 John Charles Hagee (born April 12, 1940) is an American pastor and televangelist. The founder of John Hagee Ministries, his ministry is telecast to the United States and Canada. Hagee is also the founder and chairman of the Christian-Zionist or ...

as well, another social conservative who had referred to the Roman Catholic Church as "the great whore", claimed

Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler (; 20 April 188930 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was dictator of Nazi Germany, Germany from 1933 until Death of Adolf Hitler, his death in 1945. Adolf Hitler's rise to power, He rose to power as the le ...

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.

Cabinet positions

References

1963 births Living people Members of the Executive Council of Saskatchewan People from Yorkton Politicians from Regina, Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Party MLAs 21st-century Canadian politicians {{Saskatchewan-politician-stub