October 31, 2024
On October 28, the Saskatchewan Party (SP) won their fifth straight majority government. Not since the days of Tommy Douglas and the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (which governed from 1944 to 1964) has a single party won five elections in a row. The SP won the race with 34 seats (and a popular vote of 238,513) while the Saskatchewan New Democrats (NDP) secured 27 seats (182,924 votes).
The NDP effectively doubled their seat count from the 14 they had at dissolution. Five cabinet ministers were defeated: Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre; Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross; Environment Minister Christine Tell; Social Services Minister and Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Paul Merriman; and Justice Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre. Voter turnout was approximately 52.99% of eligible voters, a slight increase compared to the last election in 2020. No other parties won seats.
Despite the Saskatchewan Party winning a majority, the close contest indicates a more competitive political environment. It appears that the SP continues to hold popularity in rural areas of the province while the NDP took every seat in Regina and all but two in Saskatoon. Like Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and New Brunswick, this election has highlighted a divide between how the rural and urban populations vote. Similarly, voter turnout was low and has been on a steady decline over a number of elections. While governing is never easy, ensuring consensus within and outside of the party structure will challenge the government and the opposition. Premier Moe, like his counterparts in other provinces that face a comparable situation will have to balance priorities so it does not seem like his government is favouring one over the other.
Both parties will also have to reassess why they failed to appeal to voters outside of their core constituencies. The Premier has stated that for the next four years he will focus on health care, housing, affordability, and provide tax relief. He also stated that he will continue withholding federal carbon levy payments to Ottawa.
For more information, please contact Diplomat Consulting at: [email protected].
Ivan Ross Vrána
Managing Partner
