The divide between urban and rural communities in Saskatchewan is even more evident after Monday's provincial election.
The Saskatchewan Party earned their fifth consecutive term in government largely on the strength of rural Saskatchewan ridings like Cypress Hills. The NDP mostly dominated Regina and Saskatoon.
While Sask Party MLA Doug Steele again won a massive victory in Cypress Hills, NDP candidate Clare McNabb almost doubled their 2020 performance from over 9% to over 18% in 2024.
She recognizes the party ran into some roadblocks outside the cities.
"The rural areas have different priorities than the city" McNab said. "Facing different issues. To me I'd say it's probably natural and normal there is going to be a split somewhere. There's always more problems and issues than there is money to deal with it. It becomes a matter of finding priorities and finding new ways to do things."
She wouldn't take too much credit for the increase in the NDP vote this time around.
"We made an effort to get out there and beat seen and hear from the people," McNab said. "I would also say that our population is changing. We're having new people move into the small communities. It used to be they're agriculture and ranching based. I think that's shifting a little bit. I think there's some support with some of those people with the NDP."
As the Sask Party returns to government, McNab hopes they will work on accessibility to healthcare in rural areas.
"I used to be a nurse so one of my priorities is always healthcare," she noted. "The distance. Being able to access healthcare in the rural areas is really important."
McNab says at her age she doesn't intend to run again, but plans to stay involved with the party locally.