Trent Wotherspoon has been elected as the new leader of the official opposition in the legislative assembly. The New Democratic Party caucus elected the Regina Rosemont MLA on April 14 to serve the party on that basis until they can conduct an official leadership process. An interim leader will be selected on April 23 through the party’s provincial council and caucus.
Wotherspoon received the unanimous support of the other nine members of the NDP caucus and has indicated he will not be seeking the permanent leadership post, citing the desire to spend more time with family than what would be afforded him if he were to be selected for the full-time role.
Wotherspoon was first elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011 and 2016. He has served as deputy leader since 2013 and was the opposition critic for finance, education, economy, municipal relations and urban affairs. He has also been the opposition critic for SaskPower and SaskEnergy and served as chairman of the public accounts committee.
During the same meeting, David Forbes, the MLA for Saskatoon Centre was elected caucus chairman.
Forbes has served as caucus chair since 2011 and was also the NDP’s critic for social services, labour and human rights.
“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,” said Forbes.
