He represented Melville from 1967 to 1982 in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan as a New Democratic Party (NDP) member.
He was born on the family farm near Goodeve, Saskatchewan, the son of Nicholas Kowalchuk,[2] and was educated in Goodeve and at the Regina normal school.
Kowalchuk earned a teaching certificate from the University of Saskatchewan by taking correspondence courses.
[2] After 1956, he operated a grocery store, locker plant and insurance business until 1961, when he began farming.
He served in the Saskatchewan cabinet as Minister of Natural Resources.