Sarauer’s arm twisted to be third candidate
In Regina this weekend, the Saskatchewan NDP held its annual convention. Here are some highlights.
SARAUER PASSES TEST
It’s tough to find anybody at the convention unhappy with how interim NDP Leader Nicole Sarauer is performing so far. Her political rise has been a fast one and is giving party members something to be optimistic about. Elected in 2016, she performed well in her critic duties before being named interim leader in June.
Based largely on her performance, many in the party are urging her to run for the permanent job of leader. In the past she has cited a lack of experience as a reason she doesn’t want to.
After delivering a well-received speech in her capacity as interim leader at convention, she said she is “enjoying being in this role” and called it an honour.
But she claims to be “happy with the decision that I made” not to run for the permanent gig. Those wanting a Sarauer-run NDP will, it seems, have to wait.
Once the ongoing leadership race is over, Sarauer is hopeful the party won’t be in search of a replacement for a very long time.
DEBATERS HOST HOSTS DEBATE
Steve Patterson, host of The Debaters on CBC radio seemed, at first, like an odd choice to be hosting the first NDP leadership debate.
Held Saturday, Patterson was a huge hit with the crowd. He was able to keep the back-and-forth between the two leadership hopefuls candid and levelled. The comedian also got several laughs out of the crowd.
As strange as the decision seemed at the time, the man himself pointed out he may be the most qualified person for the gig in Canada: Patterson has hosted about 60 debates each year for the past decade.
SINGH HITS UP RIDERVILLE
Newly crowned federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh went to his first CFL game this weekend, attending the Roughriders’ game against the Montreal Alouettes. He also attended the convention, where his speech was well-received by members.
Singh wasn’t totally welcomed in Saskatchewan, however. Premier Brad Wall and some Saskatchewan Party candidates were quick to denounce comments Singh had made about getting a carbon tax put in place in the province.
MLAS IN THE BEAR PIT
All 12 NDP MLAs were present for a bear-pit session, in which party members were able to ask questions of the caucus members.
It’s a small indication of what is on the minds of party faithful and questions covered a variety of topics.
Those included questions about how the party would better engage First Nations communities, approaches to electoral reform, thoughts on how to better support children with disabilities, how to better access legal aid, impacts of technology on the workforce and improving etiquette during question period.
LIGHT ON POLICY
Largely because of the leadership race, there was not a lot of buzz over policy at convention this year.
Still, resolutions related to protecting the Crown corporations and protecting trade exposed industries from a federally imposed carbon tax were discussed.