Wahoo!!! er, wait a minute, is the Saskatchewan Party on the right, left, or center? Whatever. Anyway anything to take the some of the halo off of Canada's greatest eugenicist and peasant saint Tommy Douglas is probably a good thing.

The Sask party is the most right of centre provincial party in Canada that has a realistic chance of governing some day.

Does this mean all that bribe... err redevelopment funding will disappear?

I see provinces like Saskatchewan and Manitoba with so much potential stagnating in socialist glop. When will voters take that first step and tell the government to back off and let the citizens take some personal responsibility?

I've lived in all three prairie provinces and the differences are like night and day.

Texas Canuck.

I think you mean night becomes day when you hit the Alberta/Saskatchewan border heading West!

Move on Dipper's you are way overdue!

It is rather helpless living in a rural riding. The vote in Saskatchewan breaks primarily down rural- urban lines. There must be something that the politicians slip in the urban water supply come election time.
We saw the same thing federally. The three largest cities in Canada snubbed and shut out the Conservatives last election. Here in Saskatchewan we always blame it on the unions as there are many union jobs in the cities. I'm thinking there must be something more to it than that, but am at a loss to fully explain it.
Daniel
P.S. Is there ever a good week to be Lorne Calvert?

Congratulations to Mr. Duncan. I hope this will be a template for the next election. Sask. minus the Dippers will be 'cooking with gas' because it is a great province and it has some of the best people in the country. For instance; the owner of this website.

Actually, it's always a good week to be Lorne Calvert.

Doubters should imagine the alternative: a week of being Brad Wall.

Ugh.

I love these morons like Stephen...

Kate lays out the reasons why it's a bad week for Calvert and Stephen comes back "Doubters should imagine the alternative: a week of being Brad Wall." with no explanation other than (my guess) a hatred of the right and the man who will be the next Premier of Saskatchewan... saving us from the clutches of these idiot socialists that have held back this province for so long.

If this is the left wing brain-trust (oxymoron), bring it on!

My feelings exactly "Greek" I'll bet Stephen could fall in one of these categories 1 Gov,t employee 2 Union representative 3 on some type of social assistance

"I'm thinking there must be something more to it than that, but am at a loss to fully explain it."

There is. When saying "union jobs" you forget to add "government union jobs". A nice, beholden set of downtown government unionized workers (at any 3 levels of government) does wonders for an incumbent left-wing government.

Everyone knows who their daddy is.

Hey Stephen, you just explained why Saskatchewan has been able to lose 6000 jobs during an oil and commodities boom.
Though Lorne did hire some 5000 new voters, errr, crown corporation employees.
The NDP are like the federal liberals, they care about little beside being in power.
And Stephen follows the script of painting the opposition as scary.

The NDP is going down and they know it. We'll see a lot more of the 'Stephen' types in the next year. They're going to use scare tactics and much more to try and smear the Cons here in Saskatchewan. The problem is that their (NDP) record is so strikingly bad they'll have to pull out all the stops to muster up some kind of positive image.

I suggest attempts to reason with Stephen are futile. Many of us here know who he is, what he is, where he lives and what he does. Primarily defend defenseless positions. Don't waste your time.

A good sign. Article in the Star Phoenix broke down the vote. Last election, the dips won Weyburn city polls by 600 votes. This time they lost the urban polls by 800.

I have always wondered about Man. and Sask. people/voters. After the damage previously done by the socialist idiots in both BC and Ont. Clark/Rae, where are there heads? Maybe I shouldn't talk living here on the West Coast but does make you wonder. You can understand Sask. getting rid of a corrupt Government, but to keep cutting your own throat takes real stupidity. Between BC, Sask. and Man. it just goes to show how many dependent teat suckers there really are in Western Canada. I guess it just goes to show you can lead a socialist to reality but you can’t make him think.

Kate, I wouldn't write the SK Liberals off yet. Karwacki is a much better leader than Calvert for instance.
Also, the SK Liberals are the Sask Party's best shot at governing next election. The SK Liberals are more likely to be elected in the big cities than Sask Party candidates, and if the Liberals can take even 5 seats, that should give the Sask Party the win. What has changed in the cities for urban dwellars to elect the Sask Party, or not elect the NDP again?

Quote of the Day goes to Western Canadian. Well done.

"I guess it just goes to show you can lead a socialist to reality but you can’t make him think."

How very true.

A major blow to the NDP here in Saskatchewan. I saw a news conference after the by-election and Leisure Suit Lorne looked like he didnt know what had hit him. It also appears a former Liberal candidate in Saskatoon has jumped to the Sask. Party. Brad Wall is primed to lead this province to the next level!!

Kate is right the SK Liberal Party needs to quit proping up the NDP and join forces with the Sask Party for some real change in the province. Karwacki's one man show has run its course. Today's news of the Saskatoon candidate's defection from the Liberals to the Sask Party should make more Liberals think about doing the same.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=69091260-49cf-4c96-8fbc-75299525c0e4&k=58349

Or ... I guess the NDP could win again and we could all move to Alberta.

Lorne Calvert is great compared to Gary Doer in Manitoba. That doesn't say much.

What I don't understand is why the unionized workers still vote for these identity politics based parties who have long abandoned the social gospel that appealed to a nation realing from the Great Depression.

I blame it on socialist control over curriculum in our public schools. The NDP have effectively poisoned our schools with their teachers and "learning" materials (ie. propaganda) which cite Tommy as a hero and the 1919 strike as a great part of our history.

Socialists try to control the future through re-writing the past.

I have been reading this site daily for about a year now and I keep seeing this teacher/socialist relationship pop up. Here is some anecdotal evidence from my family. I have two in-laws, two sisters and a wife who are teachers. We talk openly about politics in our family and here's the breakdown: Sask Party 4 / Liberal 1 / NDP 0. I spend three to four social evenings with a teaching staff of twenty every year and have yet to encounter a conversative that has made me standup and say "what?". Andy, for a long time I believed what you are saying, but I think things are changing more rapidly then we realize.

I hope so, Dean. Some of the social engineering crap I've read about is downright scary. I also still believe that the teacher's unions have outlived their usefulness. It's not always about the kids anymore.

Is it just me, or does Dustin Duncan look a bit like that kid from "Sliders" and who is now on "Crossing Jordan".

I guess he stuck around to make some changes in this "reality" instead of sliding off to a world where socialists are hunted down, slapped, sterilized and then forced to become entrepreneurs with no safety nets... (I can just tell I am making the majority of posters to this board drool at the prospect of such a world!!)

: )

Cheers!

Leto

breaking news: Raid going on right now by FBI and others in Miami re a suspected terrorist plot. Will the suspects be from Canada. Hope not.

1 Gov,t employee 2 Union representative 3 on some type of social assistance

Unfortunately, I don't really fit into any of these categories: sorry if that prevents you from applying your stereotypes of NDP supporters with the usual ease. And what would being on 'social assistance' have to do with a dig at Brad Wall, anyway?

a hatred of the right and the man who will be the next Premier of Saskatchewan

Stephen follows the script of painting the opposition as scary.

Actually, I neither hate nor fear Brad Wall: I just don't think he has put forward very many good ideas for the province of Saskatchewan during his time as Sask Party leader. As for the tone of my post, sure it was a bit flippant, but it hardly conveyed 'hatred' or 'fear,' nor was it over the top given the standards of this and other blogs.

I suggest attempts to reason with Stephen are futile.Perhaps, though I wouldn't like to think so.

Oh, and as for BDT's claim that s/he and others know 'where he [that's me] lives'--would one of you mind dropping by this weekend? My lawn needs a mow.

"Doubters should imagine the alternative: a week of being Brad Wall."

Lets see here, Calverts man, despite promise of millions supposedly brokered by Calverts man, loses and comes in third behind the one man show who is now one man short! I'm thinking Brad Wall is having a great week and will have many more great weeks to come. As for Calvert, you can spin this any way you want but coming in third was not on the list of expectations and he is definately NOT having a good week!
The NDP in this province have out-lived their governing welcome. They have only survived this long because they were able to cobble together a coalition with Liberal has-beens. The tide is turning and we will see a change of government after the next election. This province deserves an opportunity to take its place as a prosperous, GROWING province. It is unbelievable and inconceivable that our population should continue to decline during times of relative prosperity. A new government would be like a breath of fresh air in this province for those who would like to set up business here but will not as long as the NDP are here to out-compete them with their own money!
Daniel

This province deserves an opportunity to take its place as a prosperous, GROWING province.

In fact, this is a prosperous and growing province, or haven't you looked at the employment and investment numbers lately?

It is unbelievable and inconceivable that our population should continue to decline during times of relative prosperity. A new government would be like a breath of fresh air in this province for those who would like to set up business here but will not as long as the NDP are here to out-compete them with their own money!If you had any numbers or serious arguments to back up these claims, you'd have provided them: the fact that you haven't done so speaks volumes, to say the least.

For one thing: please explain how Brad Wall and the Sask Party are going to control the population of the province.

How will they prevent people from moving to other provinces?

A big fence, for instance?

Please, let us know.

We're dying to find out.

For one thing our population numbers are still in decline. Now why do you suppose that is? Perhaps it is because there is not the opportunity for education (5-10 year waiting lists for some programs) or jobs in this province that there are next door.
I grew up in Alberta and moved here when I was in my mid twenties. I am now in my mid fourties. I have had a chance to see and learn about both provinces.
Back after the turn of the cetury and into the thirties and fourties Alberta and Saskatchewan were by and large the same. They came into confederation at the same time. They had similar populations both in kind and in number. Largely immigrant populations who pioneered and grubbed out a living off the land. The two provinces had roughly the same land mass and resources. It could be argued that Saskatchewan has more resources as we have more potash and mining in Saskatchewan. Alberta has used the mountains to advantage with more tourism. There are varying estimates on oil reserves. It has been said that the two provinces have similar reserves but Alberta has enjoyed easier to access "sweet crude". Like Alberta Saskatchewan has a huge tar sands deposit as well.
Today Alberta has three times the population of Saskatchewan, an economy that is the envy of the other provinces, no provincial debt and is still growing. Saskatchewan is still in decline with population. The economy is doing OK in some areas, much because of $70.00 a barrel oil fueling the oil patch and an awakening mining industry. The crowns have out competed the private sector and have driven out many companies that cannot compete with a bottomless pit of taxpayer funding for the crowns.
The only real difference between the two provinces over the past several decades has been government philosophy (remember Spudco!). By and large Alberta has had Conservative governments and Saskatchewan, by and large has had socialist governments.
The policies of the socialists have stifled this province and still are. The Conservative philosophy in Alberta has fostered a population of entrpreneurs willing to take risks and invest in their dreams. Alberta has been fertile ground for those dreamers to plant their seeds in. Alberta is now reaping the harvest of decades of good governance and wise fiscal policy. Yes they have good oil revenues but they have had their lean times as well. I remember the NEP and I was there for a couple of "busts" in the oil industry as prices plummetted. We could have done well too, if we wouldn't have chased all the head offices out of here in the fourties and fifties when the patron saint of socialism came along and piped the tune the lemmings longed to hear... in the cities they are still listening!
How many more of our brightest and best are we going to have to lose before we realize that an aging population cannot sustain itself, there needs to be youth coming along to replace the baby boomer retirees. Oh well, I guess if they get away from the piper for awhile, perhaps they will come back one day ready to make this province all that it can be with Brad Wall and the Sask Partys help. There is hope but it is not with more socialist dogma. That is a dead end cliff, if that is what you want, then just keep following the piper. Myself I would like to see a new party with a new leader and new ideas get a chance to govern. Together we can make a difference.
Daniel

For one thing our population numbers are still in decline. Now why do you suppose that is? Perhaps it is because there is not the opportunity for education (5-10 year waiting lists for some programs) or jobs in this province that there are next door.
I grew up in Alberta and moved here when I was in my mid twenties. I am now in my mid fourties. I have had a chance to see and learn about both provinces.
Back after the turn of the cetury and into the thirties and fourties Alberta and Saskatchewan were by and large the same. They came into confederation at the same time. They had similar populations both in kind and in number. Largely immigrant populations who pioneered and grubbed out a living off the land. The two provinces had roughly the same land mass and resources. It could be argued that Saskatchewan has more resources as we have more potash and mining in Saskatchewan. Alberta has used the mountains to advantage with more tourism. There are varying estimates on oil reserves. It has been said that the two provinces have similar reserves but Alberta has enjoyed easier to access "sweet crude". Like Alberta Saskatchewan has a huge tar sands deposit as well.
Today Alberta has three times the population of Saskatchewan, an economy that is the envy of the other provinces, no provincial debt and is still growing. Saskatchewan is still in decline with population. The economy is doing OK in some areas, much because of $70.00 a barrel oil fueling the oil patch and an awakening mining industry. The crowns have out competed the private sector and have driven out many companies that cannot compete with a bottomless pit of taxpayer funding for the crowns.
The only real difference between the two provinces over the past several decades has been government philosophy (remember Spudco!). By and large Alberta has had Conservative governments and Saskatchewan, by and large has had socialist governments.
The policies of the socialists have stifled this province and still are. The Conservative philosophy in Alberta has fostered a population of entrpreneurs willing to take risks and invest in their dreams. Alberta has been fertile ground for those dreamers to plant their seeds in. Alberta is now reaping the harvest of decades of good governance and wise fiscal policy. Yes they have good oil revenues but they have had their lean times as well. I remember the NEP and I was there for a couple of "busts" in the oil industry as prices plummetted. We could have done well too, if we wouldn't have chased all the head offices out of here in the fourties and fifties when the patron saint of socialism came along and piped the tune the lemmings longed to hear... in the cities they are still listening!
How many more of our brightest and best are we going to have to lose before we realize that an aging population cannot sustain itself, there needs to be youth coming along to replace the baby boomer retirees. Oh well, I guess if they get away from the piper for awhile, perhaps they will come back one day ready to make this province all that it can be with Brad Wall and the Sask Partys help. There is hope but it is not with more socialist dogma. That is a dead end cliff, if that is what you want, then just keep following the piper. Myself I would like to see a new party with a new leader and new ideas get a chance to govern. Together we can make a difference.
Daniel

For one thing our population numbers are still in decline. Now why do you suppose that is? Perhaps it is because there is not the opportunity for education (5-10 year waiting lists for some programs) or jobs in this province that there are next door.
I grew up in Alberta and moved here when I was in my mid twenties. I am now in my mid fourties. I have had a chance to see and learn about both provinces.
Back after the turn of the cetury and into the thirties and fourties Alberta and Saskatchewan were by and large the same. They came into confederation at the same time. They had similar populations both in kind and in number. Largely immigrant populations who pioneered and grubbed out a living off the land. The two provinces had roughly the same land mass and resources. It could be argued that Saskatchewan has more resources as we have more potash and mining in Saskatchewan. Alberta has used the mountains to advantage with more tourism. There are varying estimates on oil reserves. It has been said that the two provinces have similar reserves but Alberta has enjoyed easier to access "sweet crude". Like Alberta Saskatchewan has a huge tar sands deposit as well.
Today Alberta has three times the population of Saskatchewan, an economy that is the envy of the other provinces, no provincial debt and is still growing. Saskatchewan is still in decline with population. The economy is doing OK in some areas, much because of $70.00 a barrel oil fueling the oil patch and an awakening mining industry. The crowns have out competed the private sector and have driven out many companies that cannot compete with a bottomless pit of taxpayer funding for the crowns.
The only real difference between the two provinces over the past several decades has been government philosophy (remember Spudco!). By and large Alberta has had Conservative governments and Saskatchewan, by and large has had socialist governments.
The policies of the socialists have stifled this province and still are. The Conservative philosophy in Alberta has fostered a population of entrpreneurs willing to take risks and invest in their dreams. Alberta has been fertile ground for those dreamers to plant their seeds in. Alberta is now reaping the harvest of decades of good governance and wise fiscal policy. Yes they have good oil revenues but they have had their lean times as well. I remember the NEP and I was there for a couple of "busts" in the oil industry as prices plummetted. We could have done well too, if we wouldn't have chased all the head offices out of here in the fourties and fifties when the patron saint of socialism came along and piped the tune the lemmings longed to hear... in the cities they are still listening!
How many more of our brightest and best are we going to have to lose before we realize that an aging population cannot sustain itself, there needs to be youth coming along to replace the baby boomer retirees. Oh well, I guess if they get away from the piper for awhile, perhaps they will come back one day ready to make this province all that it can be with Brad Wall and the Sask Partys help. There is hope but it is not with more socialist dogma. That is a dead end cliff, if that is what you want, then just keep following the piper. Myself I would like to see a new party with a new leader and new ideas get a chance to govern. Together we can make a difference.
Daniel

For one thing our population numbers are still in decline. Now why do you suppose that is? Perhaps it is because there is not the opportunity for education (5-10 year waiting lists for some programs) or jobs in this province that there are next door.
I grew up in Alberta and moved here when I was in my mid twenties. I am now in my mid fourties. I have had a chance to see and learn about both provinces.
Back after the turn of the cetury and into the thirties and fourties Alberta and Saskatchewan were by and large the same. They came into confederation at the same time. They had similar populations both in kind and in number. Largely immigrant populations who pioneered and grubbed out a living off the land. The two provinces had roughly the same land mass and resources. It could be argued that Saskatchewan has more resources as we have more potash and mining in Saskatchewan. Alberta has used the mountains to advantage with more tourism. There are varying estimates on oil reserves. It has been said that the two provinces have similar reserves but Alberta has enjoyed easier to access "sweet crude". Like Alberta Saskatchewan has a huge tar sands deposit as well.
Today Alberta has three times the population of Saskatchewan, an economy that is the envy of the other provinces, no provincial debt and is still growing. Saskatchewan is still in decline with population. The economy is doing OK in some areas, much because of $70.00 a barrel oil fueling the oil patch and an awakening mining industry. The crowns have out competed the private sector and have driven out many companies that cannot compete with a bottomless pit of taxpayer funding for the crowns.
The only real difference between the two provinces over the past several decades has been government philosophy (remember Spudco!). By and large Alberta has had Conservative governments and Saskatchewan, by and large has had socialist governments.
The policies of the socialists have stifled this province and still are. The Conservative philosophy in Alberta has fostered a population of entrpreneurs willing to take risks and invest in their dreams. Alberta has been fertile ground for those dreamers to plant their seeds in. Alberta is now reaping the harvest of decades of good governance and wise fiscal policy. Yes they have good oil revenues but they have had their lean times as well. I remember the NEP and I was there for a couple of "busts" in the oil industry as prices plummetted. We could have done well too, if we wouldn't have chased all the head offices out of here in the fourties and fifties when the patron saint of socialism came along and piped the tune the lemmings longed to hear... in the cities they are still listening!
How many more of our brightest and best are we going to have to lose before we realize that an aging population cannot sustain itself, there needs to be youth coming along to replace the baby boomer retirees. Oh well, I guess if they get away from the piper for awhile, perhaps they will come back one day ready to make this province all that it can be with Brad Wall and the Sask Partys help. There is hope but it is not with more socialist dogma. That is a dead end cliff, if that is what you want, then just keep following the piper. Myself I would like to see a new party with a new leader and new ideas get a chance to govern. Together we can make a difference.
Daniel

Most humble apologies Kate for the mulitiple post. I am not sure what happenned?
Daniel

Dean, I know some teachers who are not socialists. However, from a quantitative perspective, I am willing to bet the vast majority of teachers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are NDP supporters. Many social activists wisely take up the "teaching" profession because it pays better than anything else they could possibly get working at a coffee shop. It also gives them the opportunity to spread their thoughts and values.

Many movements use schools to further indoctrination: the fascist movement in Germany, the Islamic fundamentalists use schools to further their jihadist views.

Most communist regimes shut down universities and schools (not to mention killing/jailing many of them!) because they posed a threat.

Those are severe examples, but I can't help but think our children are exposed to the values of their educators. Most of which do not share the same philosophical views as centre-right folks. My father was wise to teach me political values at home as most parents should. If you let the state "educate" your children completely, they will turn into loyal NDP supporters that continue to drive our provinces into the ground.

Under the NDP Saskatchewan is the bastion of mediocrity. The graveyard for inovation and the torture chamber for entepreneurs. Under the NDP minor growth is a triumph and failure is the noble cause. Keep it up Stephen we love having more of your best and brightest come our way.
However, the Weyburn by-election may be a sign to the positive awakening from your years of smothering socialism.

I always thought Calvert was like an aging Willie Loman in "Death of a Salesman". He is trying hard to peddle a 1970's socialism into the 21st century. Hopefully he will be turfed, but unfortunately those on the dole and directly employed by the government make up 51% of the voters. I often feel like moving back to Saskatchewan but more and more of my family and friends are moving away.

"government union jobs" Does this mean Brad Wall will fire government workers and that is why the cities won't vote for him?