The Saskatchewan NDP now have in place a Leader of the Opposition in the legislature.
He is Regina Rosemont MLA Trent Wotherspoon, who had previously served as deputy leader of the party in the legislature.
Wotherspoon was elected to the position Friday by members of the NDP caucus.
He takes over after the resignation April 11 of Cam Broten as leader of the NDP. Broten was defeated in the riding of Saskatoon Westview in the provincial election on April 4, an election in which the NDP won only 10 out of 61 seats.
Wotherspoon has been in the legislature since 2007 and has served as opposition critic for finance; education; economy; municipal relations and urban affairs. He also served as critic for SaskPower and SaskEnergy and chaired the Public Accounts Committee.
He ran for the party leadership in 2013, finishing in third place on the first ballot behind both Cam Broten and Ryan Meili.
It had been speculated Wotherspoon might run again for the permanent leader’s position when that race is held. Reports on Friday, however, indicate that Wotherspoon has decided not to seek the permanent leadership and will stick to an interim role.
It should be noted his appointment is for the role of “Leader of the Opposition.” The “interim leader of the NDP” must still be elected, and the provincial council and caucus will still meet April 23 for that decision. However, it seems all but certain Wotherspoon will take on that title as well.
Also at the caucus meeting Friday, David Forbes, MLA for Saskatoon Centre, was elected caucus chair in the new legislature, a position he has held since 2011.
In a news release, Forbes welcomed the appointment of Wotherspoon and indicated a desire to get to work.
“We are excited to have Trent as the leader of the Official Opposition and we are excited to get going on the very important work ahead,” Forbes said in a statement.
“The legislature will be called back soon and there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed. All the NDP MLAs are set to work hard to hold this government to account and deliver for the people of Saskatchewan.”
