After rocky relationship, Rachel Notley congratulates Brad Wall for his service

Despite a sometimes turbulent relationship involving spats over their respective budgets and jostling over energy companies, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is thanking Brad Wall for his time in Saskatchewan politics.

Wall announced his retirement after 10 years as Saskatchewan premier Thursday, prompting congratulations from political leaders across the country.

Speaking in Hardisty, Notley acknowledged his contribution.

“No matter what your political stripe, I think anyone who is in this business knows that public service is a very large commitment and often a big sacrifice on a number of difference levels,” she said. “Premier Wall made that commitment and made that sacrifice for many, many years.

“He certainly has my gratitude and certainly my congratulations to him on his decision.”

She also acknowledged Wall’s loved ones.

“Thanks of course to his family who’ve stood by him for those many years,” she said.

Wall said serving as premier has been and always will be the honour of his working life.

“This was such a difficult decision to make, it is hard to lay this duty down,” he said. “But it is time, so I leave you with something you will hear me oft repeat in the months ahead and for the rest of my life: thank you Saskatchewan.”

The two leaders traded barbs several times earlier this year.

In March, after Notley said she wouldn’t do “almost everything” that Wall did in his provincial budget; Wall responded on Twitter by saying “Thanks, but no thanks” on the budget advice.

A few days later, Notley took issue with Wall sending a letter to an Alberta-based energy company, suggesting it relocate to his province.

“This is my job, to try and attract permanent new jobs to the province and try and improve our corporate presence,” Wall said at the time. “I think all provinces will continue to do that and will do that.”

Notley replied by saying it doesn’t demonstrate good wisdom.

“If we’re going to grow prosperity throughout Canada, what we need to do as government leaders is invest in growing businesses in our own provinces, not try to steal businesses from other provinces, Notley said, arguing it probably broke rules in the New West Partnership.”That’s a zero-sum game and it doesn’t help anybody out in the long run.”

In July, Notley also said she wasn’t ready to back Wall’s call for a list of possible trade retaliations Canada could use in NAFTA talks.

– with files From the Canadian Press