MLA Dustin Duncan returned from a leadership training program in the U.S., held July 13-17 in Madison Wis.

The Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA was one of 37 lawmakers from Canada and the U.S. to attend the 13th annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, hosted by the Council of State Governments.

Duncan was chosen by the Saskatchewan Party caucus to attend the conference, along with other representatives from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, as well as legislators from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, North and South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

There were sessions provided on leadership and policy issues, as well as times for interaction with other participation, which Duncan found to be very informative. In talking with a representative of a similar age from Iowa, he found they are dealing with some of the issues as Saskatchewan, namely a loss of young people, along with the challenges of an agriculture-based economy, and emerging opportunities in the biofuels industry.

Duncan noted many of the American legislators were surprised to learn Saskatchewan does not have fixed dates for elections, as the states and some provinces do.

The courses at the conferences were held by faculty of the University of Wisconsin's Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs. The topics covered ranged from developing leadership skills and public policy issues, to health care, education and the regional economy.