The Saskatchewan Party remains in power in Saskatchewan. That party took 35 seats, 4 more than it needed for a majority of the 61-seat assembly. Scott Moe won his riding in Rosthern-Shellbrook and will be back as premier.
The NDP won at least 26 seats. NDP leader Carla Beck won her Regina Lakeview riding and will remain the opposition leader.
The last 5 majority government streak came under Tommy Douglas and the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation from 1944-1961. The Saskatchewan Party has been in charge of the province since 2007.
"I've heard the message that was delivered here this evening and the Saskatchewan Party will be a government that works for all of the people of Saskatchewan," Moe said in his victory speech. That may not apply to trans kids unless there is a significant change. Winning doesn't usually mean a change. Perhaps the NDP push came because of the hurtful policies of the government in power.
Moe did say late in the campaign that the first order of action, if re-elected, is more hurtful policies against trans kids. Food prices, housing, health care would be more important to people who live in Saskatchewan.
"We might not have crossed the finish line first tonight but, my friends, we have changed the landscape in this province," Beck said in her speech.
Like New Brunswick, Saskatchewan had a chance to elect its first female premier. That will have to wait, like until 2028. Nova Scotia has also never elected a female premier.
The province has a few smaller parties. None of them came close to winning a seat: Saskatchewan United Party, Buffalo Party, Progressive Conservatives, Saskatchewan Progress Party, and the Green Party.
Here's the story of the Saskatchewan election - the NDP made remarkable gains in the two big cities in the province but couldn't break through anywhere else.
— Alex Kohut (@KohutAlex) October 29, 2024
It's a trend we're seeing across the country as urban/rural divides are growing more and more extreme. pic.twitter.com/ipxObgeXCm
The NDP strengthened its seat count in the 2 major cities: Regina and Saskatoon. Depending on recounts, the NDP took 11 of 12 Regina ridings and all but 2 seats in Saskatoon.
The Saskatchewan Party dominated in the rural areas and did well in smaller cities such as Prince Albert and Moose Jaw.
Tomorrow it's time to remove number 4 of 5. #skpoli pic.twitter.com/Zj0xfVfssf
— Theresa (@TheresaLubowitz) October 27, 2024
The Saskatchewan Party win could be seen as holding back the non-conservatives. The BC NDP win could be seen as holding back the conservatives. New Brunswick was about kicking out the premier, regardless of party. Nova Scotia and, possibly, Ontario are in the on deck circle waiting to see how that might turn out. Sometimes provincial elections are just that, provincial.
BREAKING: Sask. Party MLA Gary Grewal has been found guilty. He broke the law & personally profited off government contracts. He jacked up motel room rates for government clients, swindling taxpayers for $731,000. This is exactly why voters are looking for change. #skpoli pic.twitter.com/LhBeIQtXRC
— Saskatchewan New Democrats (@Sask_NDP) October 22, 2024
2024 Saskatchewan election preview
Saskatchewan Party wins a fourth straight majority government
British Columbia Saturday, Saskatchewan on Monday: Election results likely to be delayed
2020 Saskatchewan election preview
We would never suggest for or against a government based on how well it supports the film industry. New productions are coming to Saskatchewan, which is good news, but there is a crew shortage in part because of past policies.
The Saskatchewan Party government eliminated the film tax credit in 2012 (been in power since 2007). So productions and local crew people left. There is a new production grant from Creative Saskatchewan but rebuilding the infrastructure takes time.
Even conservative governments should see the positive aspects of film and TV production, especially in a province that doesn't get too many tourists.
If you are going to draw attention to an election, go to where the people are. You can see the Elections Saskatchewan logo at the bottom left of the screen. Helps if the Saskatchewan Roughriders were winning big over the BC Lions. The teams match up in Regina on Saturday in the CFL West Division semifinal.
Speaking of the CFL, Canadian Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman Gene Makowsky, who played 17 years for the Roughriders, lost his seat. NDP candidate Sally Housser won the redistributed riding of Regina University over Makowsky.
Makowsky had been in the assembly for the Saskatchewan Party since 2011 in the Regina Dewdney riding immediately following the end of his final CFL season. He won re-election in the Regina Gardner Park riding in 2016 and 2020.
Elections Saskatchewan reported that over 273,000 people cast early ballots during the 56 hours of early voting. Overall turnout is about 53%, a miserable figure by Canadian standards.
Fifth straight majority government for Conservative Saskatchewan Party.
— Armine Yalnizyan (@ArmineYalnizyan) October 29, 2024
Big gains for NDP in two biggest cities, furthering urban/rural divide.
Only 53% of eligible voters voted.
Official results to be released Nov 9. https://t.co/b1Y56auG7Y
CanadianCrossing.com Saskatchewan coverage
2024 Canadian politics preview
CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage
We will post a Nova Scotia election preview soon. We are only human.
photo credits: CBC News; TSN/CFL
Twitter captures: @KohutAlex; @TheresaLubowitz; @Sask_NDP; @ArmineYalnizyan
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