Eric Cline was born and raised in Saskatoon. He received his early education at Estey School and Mount Royal Collegiate, and went on to earn degrees in Political Science and Law from the University of Saskatchewan.

Mr. Cline has been a member of the Saskatchewan Bar for over 20 years. He has been involved in several organizations including the Saskatoon Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, the Canadian Bar Association Legislation and Law Reform Committee, and numerous other community and professional organizations. Mr. Cline has also been involved in the publication of reports for the Law Reform Commission of Saskatchewan.

Eric Cline was first elected in 1991 and re-elected in 1995, 1999 and 2003. He served as Vice-Chair of the Legislative Standing Committee on Public Accounts from 1993 to 1995 in addition to being elected as the caucus member of the Cabinet Legislative Review Committee from 1991 to 1995.

Mr. Cline was first appointed to Cabinet in November 1995 as Minister of Health and added the Labour portfolio to his duties in 1996. Mr. Cline served as Minister of Finance from 1997 to 2003, during which time he oversaw personal income tax reform resulting in the largest tax cuts in Saskatchewan history. In February 2003, Mr. Cline assumed the dual portfolios of Minister of Industry and Resources and Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

In November 2003, he was re-appointed as Minister of Industry and Resources, and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Research Council, Saskatchewan Opportunities Corporation, Tourism Saskatchewan and Information Services Corporation of Saskatchewan.

He also became the Minister Responsible for Investment Saskatchewan and the Chair of the Liquor and Gaming Authority.