There were plenty of MLAs from the New Democratic Party in the local area this past week.
They were in Jackfish Lake Sept. 27-28, holding their annual caucus retreat at Jackfish Lodge.
For the NDP caucus, it was a “time to take a step back, gather, focus on issues and strategy for the next year, in particular moving into our fall and spring session,” said interim NDP leader Nicole Sarauer.
“It’s a great opportunity for us all to, after a summer of outreach throughout all four corners of the province, to get together, share the information we’ve learned, share that knowledge, figure out how we best serve the people of Saskatchewan and strategize on the work that will be done in the next year.”
The retreat comes shortly after a recent boost in the caucus ranks, with Vicki Mowat joining those ranks following her win in Saskatoon Fairview by-election three weeks earlier.
That brings to 12 the number of NDP MLAs, something much welcomed by the interim leader, who took over her new role earlier in the summer.
“It’s great,’ said Sarauer. “We’re working really hard at 10, holding the government to account, at 11 it was even better and now at 12 we can do more of the work that we have already been doing, doing that outreach work,” she said.
Sarauer believes the growth reflects a sentiment “that people are feeling like they aren’t represented well by the Saskatchewan Party anymore, that it’s time for a change and they’re frustrated with the direction they’re going in.”
Earlier in the week on Sept. 26, there was a shuffle in the NDP shadow cabinet ranks. Both Ryan Meili and Trent Wotherspoon have left their critic roles entirely to concentrate on their leadership bids.
Meanwhile the newly-elected Mowat takes over critic roles for Advanced Education, Jobs, Poverty, Housing, Youth, Immigration, Status of Women, and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.
Sarauer said they were excited to have Mowat with the caucus going into the fall session. “She’s incredibly brilliant, she’s a hard worker, she’s been very dedicated to her community and the constituency of Saskatoon Fairview in particular. I know she’s going to be a great addition to the team.”
As for the main issues and priorities that have come up at the retreat, Sarauer mentions there is big concern about Crown corporations and privatization.
“Even partial selloffs are not on with the people of Saskatchewan,” said Sarauer.
Education is another concern, with staff cuts “creating pressures in the education system that’s very concerning for many families.”
The ongoing Global Transportation Hub issue is one the NDP continues to hammer away at.
“We’re still calling on the government to be more open and transparent about the GTH scandal,” said Sarauer.
In particular, she believes the government needs to provide access to key witnesses who they have been “intentionally blocking our attempts at having the opportunity to get answers from”, she said.
Sarauer pledged the NDP would get to the bottom of what happened.
“The very worst case scenario is that something is seriously wrong, and there isn’t anyone in Saskatchewan who doesn’t think something fishy didn’t happen here.”
The other thing the NDP will be focusing on during the next several months is their leadership race, with a vote happening March 3 next year. Sarauer sees it as a “great opportunity for growth within our party, and looking ahead into the future.”
As for the Sask Party leadership race now under way, Sarauer noted there was a “lot of backtracking on issues they have been promoting in the House every single day”, pointing to the GTH issue as well as the PST on insurance premiums.
She believes it changes little with respect to the Sask. Party.
“They still have to wear these cuts to crucial services,” said Sarauer.
