Politics of Saskatchewan

The Politics of Saskatchewan are part of the Canadian federal political system along with the other Canadian provinces. Saskatchewan has a Lieutenant-Governor, Gordon Barnhart, who is the representative of the Crown in Right of Saskatchewan, an elected premier, Brad Wall, leading the Cabinet, and a unicameral legislature.

Early politics

The Saskatchewan Liberal Party was the province's main centrist party for several decades early in Saskatchewan's existence, ruling from 1905–29 and from 1934–44.^{[citation needed]} James T.M. Anderson formed a Conservative government (which ruled from 1930–34) by an alliance with the Progressives (see Progressive Party of Canada) in the provincial legislature.^{[citation needed]}

In 1935, under the watch of Liberal Premier James Garfield Gardiner, the On-to-Ottawa Trekkers, and citizens of Regina clashed with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) during the Regina Riot.^{[citation needed]}

In 1944, Tommy Douglas became premier of the first avowedly socialist regional government in North America.^{[citation needed]} Most of Douglas' MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) represented rural and small-town ridings.^{[citation needed]} The Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) government implemented provincial Medicare, billed at the time as government-funded mandatory universal medical insurance.^{[citation needed]} This model would later be adopted across Canada.^{[citation needed]} In 1958, Douglas left provincial politics to become the first leader of the federal New Democratic Party.^{[citation needed]}

Postwar period

During most of the postwar period, the CCF and its successor, the New Democratic Party have dominated provincial politics with Douglas, Allan Blakeney, and Roy Romanow all serving long periods as premier and becoming national figures. Urbanization since the Second World War has altered the provincial economy away from its agricultural basis, and there has been a steady migration from farms to cities and towns. There was a corresponding shift in the NDP's focus from rural to urban concerns, so that the NDP gradually represented voters in cities and towns.

The Saskatchewan Liberal Party regained power in 1964. The Progressive Conservatives led by Grant Devine gradually replaced the Liberals as the NDP's main rival and soundly defeated the New Democrats in 1982's. But the Conservatives' popularity plummeted after running up large deficits and being closely aligned with the Brian Mulroney-led federal PC government; Devine was defeated in 1991. Several PC MLAs, including some cabinet ministers, were convicted for misappropriation of public funds, and the PC Party itself went into suspension, though it has recently announced its intention to run a full slate in the next provincial election.

Contemporary politics

In the 1990s the right-wing Saskatchewan Party was formed, with four Progressive Conservatives and four Liberals joining together. It served as the official opposition for most of that decade, and was elected to form the government in the 2007 election.

Today, the official opposition in the province is the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party. The current premier of Saskatchewan is Brad Wall, whose government came to power in the 2007 election -- the Saskatchewan Party won seats in the Legislative Assembly, as did the NDP.

Federal politics

Nationally notable federal politicians from Saskatchewan include Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, CCF/NDP leaders Major Coldwell and Tommy Douglas.

Of the 14 federal constituencies in Saskatchewan, 13 are currently occupied by members of the Conservative Party of Canada. While the province has a large provincial New Democratic Party opposition, the federal NDP hasn't won a seat in Saskatchewan since 2004. This is mainly due to the fact that the ridings based in Regina and Saskatoon include large blocks of conservative-leaning rural territory, which largely cancels out the NDP support in the cities. While Regina and Saskatoon have roughly double the population of an urban riding in Canada, the rural areas near those cities are too thinly populated for ridings of their own.^{[citation needed]}

The federal Liberals have not done well in the province in recent years. The province's only Liberal Member of Parliament is former Finance Minister and current Deputy Opposition Leader Ralph Goodale.

Aboriginal politics

Saskatchewan, when compared to other provinces, has a large Aboriginal population. As of the 2006 Canadian census, residents identifying as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit comprised 14.8% a of the overall population. Unlike neighbouring Alberta, Saskatchewan does not have land set aside as Métis Settlements (see Métis in Alberta).

Saskatchewan also has a rich history of Aboriginal political leaders of national prominence. First Nations leaders include Walter Dieter, Noel Starblanket, and the highly controversial David Ahenakew. First Nations are represented in the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. In addition, each First Nation has its own government band structure. The majority of Saskatchewan First Nations are Cree although Saulteaux, Assiniboine, Dakota, and Dene bands predominate in some areas.

Métis leaders of national importance include Malcolm Norris, Jim Sinclair and Clément Chartier. Métis people in the province take part in the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan. The Métis nation is represented on the community level by Métis Locals, structured similarly to trade union locals.

In 1982 the Aboriginal People's Party ran ten electoral candidates for the provincial legislature but received little support.

Municipal politics

On the municipal level, non-Indian Reserve, or non-Crown Land, in Saskatchewan is divided into rural municipalities and urban municipalities. Rural Municipalities have a corporate structure for dealing with larger governments known as SARM: the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities. Unlike neighbouring Alberta, Saskatchewan does not have Municipal Districts.

See also

• History of Saskatchewan
• List of Saskatchewan Premiers
• List of Saskatchewan general elections
• List of political parties in Saskatchewan
• First Nations in Saskatchewan
• Politics of Canada
• Political Culture of Canada
• Council of the Federation

External links

• Government of Saskatchewan