People are ready for change, that is the message that NDP winners reiterated Monday night even after the Sask Party swept to a majority win – their fourth mandate and something not seen since the days of Tommy Douglas. NDP leader Ryan Meili in Saskatoon Meewasin appears to have lost by 83 votes but there are still mail in ballots to be counted. Three other ridings that are not a for sure include Saskatoon Eastview which went to the NDP’s Matt Love by a close margin, Saskatoon Riversdale went to the SaskParty by 274 votes and Saskatoon University is NDP by 108 votes. And all that can change when the more than 61 thousand mail in ballots are counted.
Ryan Meili says it is not the end, this is the beginning. Meili told his supporters they will be in opposition but it will be the strongest opposition the province has seen in years. Meili called Scott Moe to congratulate him on the win and says he told the Sask.Party leader they can work together, that he is always there to help and where they don’t agree, to communicate different visions.
Vicki Mowat who was re-elected in Saskatoon Fairview says on the campaign trail they heard from many who were ready to reject SaskParty cuts to healthcare and education. Mowat says she heard from teachers, parents and grandparents who were concerned about the SaskParty’s back to school plan. She has heard from healthcare workers who are concerned about long term care and mental health. Mowat says she thinks Saskatchewan people are ready to accept a new vision and have spoken clearly in this case. Mowat beat out SaskParty Candidate Manny Sadhra, PC party member Tony Ollenberger and Tobi-Dawne Smith of the Green Party in the Fairview riding.
Erika Ritchie was elected in Saskatoon Nutana and will take over for former MLA Cathy Sproule. Ritchie says as provincial opposition it means they will continue to call out the government for what she calls their poor record on financial management, and the overspending on massive infrastructure projects that were handed to out of province contractors. She would like to see some accountability on those issues and continue to hold the SaskParty’s “feet to the fire”.
