NDP boss avoids big shakeup in shadow cabinet
New leader Meili warns the government needs to be ready for ‘real critical analysis’
The Saskatchewan NDP’s new leader opted for continuity rather than change when assembling his first shadow cabinet, making few tweaks in assigning critic roles.
“A lot of people have already been developing their space in those roles. I didn’t want to shake things up too much at this time,” Ryan Meili told reporters before a caucus meeting in Saskatoon on Wednesday.
Likely the most significant shift involves the social services file, which Meili transferred from Nicole Rancourt to Trent Wotherspoon, whom he defeated at the party’s leadership convention on Saturday.
Leadership races have a tendency to divide political parties, and Meili’s decision to hand responsibility for social services to the Regina Rosemont MLA, whose leadership bid was backed by most of caucus, is seen as another gesture of solidarity.
Most other NDP MLAs kept the roles they held under interim leader Nicole Sarauer, whom Meili appointed justice critic.
Cathy Sproule retained her role as finance critic, Danielle Chartier hung on to health and Carla Beck kept education.
Vicki Mowat was handed most of the economy critic role, now called export and trade development.
Buckley Belanger remained critic for energy and resources.
Meili also appointed Beck deputy leader. Warren McCall, who previously served as house leader, will serve as deputy house leader, while
Sarauer was promoted to house leader. David Forbes remains caucus chair.
Meili will also act as the critic for executive council, the premier’s office, intergovernmental affairs and Francophone affairs.
Forbes, Sarauer and Mowat were the only other MLAs who did not endorse a candidate during
A lot of people have already been developing their space in those roles.
the leadership race. However, the small size of the caucus and the timing of Meili’s election are thought to have kept him from making broader changes.
“I think we’re ready to come forward with some real critical analysis of what’s going on, and show we’re well aware of the issues and able to point out better directions than what we’ve been seeing from this government,” Meili said.
One change that will be impossible to miss when the legislature resumes next week is the change in leadership.
The Saskatchewan Party has a new leader in Scott Moe, who was sworn in to replace Brad Wall as premier last month.
“I think it will take some getting used to, to know what his style’s going to be now that he’s in the hot seat to answer some of the more difficult questions,” Meili said.