The new interim leader of Saskatchewan's New Democrats is pleased with the efforts put forward by his reduced caucus in the first session back in the legislature.
John Nilson assumed the reigns as interim leader following the defeat of former leader Dwain Lingenfelter in the Nov. 7 provincial election. The election saw the NDP reduced to nine seats in the legislature from the 20 it held previously.
Despite the reduced numbers, Nilson said his party is up for the challenge.
"We have very capable people and one of the real advantages of a small caucus in the legislature is that every person got to ask questions, lots of questions," said Nilson.
He said he felt good after the first two weeks about his party's ability to "hold the government to account over the next four years."
He also pointed to the considerable experience of his caucus members as an advantage as well.
The election results meant more work and responsibility for the reduced caucus and that was certainly true for Nilson, the MLA for Regina Lakeview since 1995 and a former cabinet minister in previous NDP governments. Nilson was chosen as the interim leader shortly after the party's election defeat in November.
Nilson has some connections to the Northwest. His father was a pastor in smaller communities in the region, including in Medstead, one of several communities where Nilson has lived.
His mother worked as a dietician at Saskatchewan Hospital for a brief time, and he spent his Christmas holidays at the hospital as a result.
As a result Nilson has continued to keep a close eye on the building of a new Saskatchewan Hospital and expressed surprise construction still hasn't officially started.
"We were surprised with the hospital that they decided there would be more study instead of 'hey, let's get on with the job,'" said Nilson. "We were ready to proceed four years ago and we assumed they would bring it forward. They didn't do that."
While Nilson was pleased with his caucus efforts he was less impressed with the session itself, starting with the speech from the throne.
"The throne speech was a surprise to most of us because it had so little in it," said Nilson. "There really weren't a lot of plans for the long-term for the province."
He also noted there were only three days of debate on the throne speech and, except for Premier Brad Wall, none of the ministers spoke, said Nilson.
Normally, that's when the ministers set out their four-year agenda for the departments. There was none of that, said Nilson.
"It was controlled message from the premier's office," he said.
During the two-week December sitting that began Dec. 5, the NDP focused its attention on issues such as affordability.
"People are suffering, there's high usage of the food banks, people are having difficulty with rental accommodation and with housing in general," said Nilson.
Meanwhile, the economy is good.
" that disparity has become the focus of our questions," Nilson said.
Nilson also expressed concern about health care and found it curious the federal Conservatives are thinking of "shifting the cost of health care back onto business."
"We all are working hard to make the system better, but for the federal government to cause uncertainty with the funding is no help to anybody."
He also called out the Saskatchewan Party for changing the date in which social assistance cheques are handed out from before Christmas to the end of the month, which he called "cold-hearted."
In the New Year, Nilson expects to listen to people about the issues that concern them, and also plan to ask about the Crown corporations, particularly on the issue of privatization.
Two issues he plans to keep an eye on include the gaming agreement which comes up for renewal, and also continuing to press for answers on the Northland Power power purchase deal with SaskPower, which the NDP continues to raise concerns about.
As for the future of the NDP, the groundwork for the election of a permanent leader should get rolling in 2012 as well.
Nilson said the party executive will likely meet in February to put forward a proposal for the provincial council, and some further discussions are expected about that contest. It is not expected a provincial leadership race would commence before the wrap up of the federal NDP race March 24, in which several provincial NDP members are active. Whether the provincial leadership race is decided in 2012 or in 2013 remains to be seen.
Regardless of when a new permanent leader is chosen, Nilson said he is ready to serve in his interim leader's role until that time. "I'll be the leader until a new leader is selected," said Nilson.
