NDP predicts orange wave in fall vote

REGINA — There were no balloons at the NDP convention Friday afternoon, but there were chocolates for sale and hugs for federal candidates who will be running in the fall election.

This weekend’s event is the last New Democrat convention before voters head to the polls — first in October to decide who will take power in Ottawa, then again next year to figure out who will form the next provincial government.

That’s important, said provincial NDP Leader Cam Broten, but what’s more important is “cohesiveness ... of the candidates and the team working together. It’s about taking that energy out into the province and doing the work that really matters.”

Friday afternoon’s activities included resolution panels, breakout panels about engaging young voters, the economy and front-line services for families, and a speech from federal NDP Opposition House Leader Peter Julian, who flew in from B.C.

Julian told the gathering of about 280 party faithful that “New Democrats from right across the country know the importance of Saskatchewan, know the importance of this heartland of our movement.”

He also painted a picture in which the federal NDP will take power in the October election.

“All of us right across the country will be looking for the Saskatchewan results, be looking for that orange wave across Saskatchewan,” he said on stage standing in front of federal NDP candidates.

“We know through determination, the extraordinary candidates we have and hard work ... that we are going to make this happen.”

Speaking with reporters later, Julian pointed to public opinion polls released last week in which 61 per cent of respondents disapproved of the job Stephen Harper is doing as prime minister.

“The wind is in our sails, federally,” he said.

As to how that might translate to this province, where Premier Brad Wall holds the highest approval ratings of any premier, Julian said “Canadian families have never struggled under a higher debt load than they are now.”

Despite Saskatchewan’s low unemployment, Julian argued that “we’re seeing the erosion of good jobs, the loss of value-added jobs. We’re seeing middle-class working families struggling more and more, and they want to see a change, see a government that will listen to their priorities.”