Saskatchewan politics could become more interesting this year

Politics in the year 2018 should not be boring — not with all the change facing us.

While Moose Jaw may have little to crow about other than failing cast iron water main replacement, unless the protein plant starts building, other sources of potential excitement grow. On the provincial scene, we will have new leaders of all four political parties. The Saskatchewan Party will elect a new leader and premier from seven candidates.

Seeing how the party without Wall performs should be interesting.

The NDP will choose a new leader from two candidates. Their best candidate, interim leader Nicolle Sarauer, has chosen not to run.

Both the non-elected parties are seeking new leaders. Progressive Conservative leader Rick Swenson of Moose Jaw has resigned. Hopefully his successor will be the kind of bee in the government’s bonnet that Swenson has been. Without Swenson’s buzzing, Saskatchewan farmers would be bidding against the Canada Pension Plan for land. One of the Saskatchewan Party’s supporters and his investors made a bundle when one big sale was made to the Canada Pension Plan fund.

Swenson also was first to raise the still unresolved Global Transportation Hub questionable land deals that saw millions in rapid profits from land flipping.

And the local farmer had interest piqued in the Regina overpass/bypass project. Saskatchewan Party government action of not releasing all the information on land deals for this project lends credibility to suspicions. And the Saskatchewan Liberal Party is looking for a new leader this year. The Saskatchewan Liberals have not been a force in provincial politics since popular leader David Karwacki blew off supporters in the 2007 election debate with an over-aggressive performance. Saskatchewan thankfully wasn’t yet ready for those U.S. style tactics. The Liberals would do well to take their time and recruit a real leader, not just name a token candidate. Increasing anecdotal evidence suggests many Saskatchewan voters are prepared to look at a centrist party — not too far right, not too far left. The provincial Liberals could fill a vacuum in the political spectrum. Anecdotes from voters suggesting a political vacuum exists fall broadly into two categories.

One group is soft Brad Wall/Saskatchewan Party supporters who see the Saskatchewan Party drift left, start unnecessary fights like the licence plate tempest, and feel uncomfortable with what they see. But they feel they have no alternative.

The second group is younger, often pro-business because they know where their bread is buttered. They feel uncomfortable with some of the harsh decisions in the last budget: no funerals for the poor, cuts to the vulnerable and library cuts. This group also feels uncomfortable with environmental protection regulations and quality of life issues.

Should the new NDP leader steer the party further left another category of disenchanted voters could appear. For the Liberals to take advantage of this vacuum would require finding another Ralph Goodale — someone willing to wander in the political wilderness for years with no guarantee of salvation.

Finding that person is unlikely. But our politics could get interesting.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net