The recent elections in Saskatchewan resulted in a significant shift in the legislative assembly. Previously dominated by the Saskatchewan Party, the assembly will now see a significant increase in the presence of NDP members as the government begins its new session.
The NDP saw its most substantial gains in more than 15 years during the recent Monday election. While the counting is still in progress and the final numbers may change, 24 NDP members are already confirmed to have been elected, with two more leading in their regions.
NDP Leader, Carla Beck, expressed her gratitude and excitement in a speech to her supporters. She recognized the hard work and determination of her party and supporters, crediting them for restoring hope in many people, despite the odds being against them at the start of their campaign.
Even though the NDP didn’t secure a government win, Beck emphasized the significant impact they made in changing the province’s political landscape. The last time the NDP had more than 20 MLAs was in 2007, prior to losing power to the Saskatchewan Party. Since then, the party had been on a steady decline, hitting a low of nine seats in 2011 and only managing to secure 13 in the 2020 elections.
Interestingly, the NDP’s resurgence came primarily from the province’s major cities, Regina and Saskatoon, which almost entirely backed the party. Carla Beck expressed her belief that this election result indicates a public desire for change and promised to continue working towards a government that prioritizes the people.
NDP MLAs who were re-elected echoed Beck’s sentiments, asserting that the results demonstrated a readiness for change among the province’s population. However, this victory was not without casualties for the Saskatchewan Party, as five of their cabinet ministers lost their seats.
Political analyst Ken Coates noted that while the NDP’s success in these cities is commendable, both parties still need to work on expanding beyond their base. Nonetheless, this election marks a significant milestone for the NDP and could potentially indicate a changing tide in Saskatchewan’s political arena.
