The first session of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly following the provincial election has been announced for Monday, Nov. 25, and all 27 members of the Sask NDP will have a portfolio to shadow and critique, including the 15 newly elected MLAs.
Sask NDP Leader Carla Beck named her Shadow Cabinet last week.
“We’ve got some work to do and I’m ready to lead by example,” said Beck. “If you look for common ground, there’s a lot more that unites us than divides us.
“I grew up in rural Saskatchewan. My parents and family still live in rural Saskatchewan. Our province has always punched above our weight when we lean on each other. It’s that message of unity and focusing on the priorities of the people who call Saskatchewan home that we’ll be bringing to all four corners of this great province.”
Beck noted that it has been the standard practice to assign each member of the Official Opposition a portfolio to shadow. Having such an assignment allows Opposition MLAs to prepare comprehensively in the event of forming government in the future.
“This is a team that’s eager to get out and continue with the outreach that we’ve been doing and meet people where they’re at, meet with stakeholders and with communities. ... You’ll see our members not only asking the questions in the House and being in committee, but you’ll also see a real focus on outreach and connection with people.”
New MLAs on both sides of the aisle will be busy learning the logistics of Question Period, the rules of the Assembly, the rules of the committees they will sit on, and more.
There are training resources and staffers to bring new MLAs up to speed, particularly in how their legislative responsibilities align with the other branches of government, and how their roles support and enable the bureaucracies that actually carry out the day-to-day jobs that keep the province ticking.
The NDP still has a scarce rural presence. Beck said she has a plan in place to connect with constituencies outside Regina and Saskatoon.
“It’s already started,” she replied. “I was out to the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Moose Jaw, and a number of events there at ANAVETS and at the Legion. You’ll continue to see us in communities like Moose Jaw over the coming weeks and months. There’s definitely more work to do, we acknowledge that.
“One of the things with having 27 members now, and having a good group both of new MLAs, but also of returning MLAs, is we simply have more resources. With 27 members and a whole lot of renewed energy right across the province, (outreach) is something that we’re able to scale up now and really, truly be present in all corners of the province at nearly all times.
“We’re really looking forward to that.”
Here’s the Saskatchewan NDP’s full Shadow Cabinet for the upcoming legislative session starting on the 25th:
- Carla Beck as Official Opposition Leader, Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Intergovernmental Affairs and Executive Council
- Brent Blakley as Shadow Minister of Social Services
- Bhajan Brar as Shadow Minister of Innovation Saskatchewan, the Provincial Capital Commission
- Kim Breckner as Shadow Minister of Trade and Export Development, Saskatchewan Research Council
- Noor Burki as Shadow Minister of Immigration and Career Training
- April ChiefCalf as Shadow Minister of Housing
- Jared Clarke as Shadow Minister of Municipal Affairs, Environment
- Meara Conway as Shadow Minister of Rural and Remote Health, Ethics and Democracy
- Hugh Gordon as Shadow Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, SGI
- Tajinder Grewal as Shadow Minister of Advanced Education
- Sally Housser as Shadow Minister of Energy and Resources, SaskEnergy
- Keith Jorgenson as Shadow Minister of Seniors
- Leroy Laliberte as Shadow Minister of First Nations and Métis Relations
- Matt Love as Shadow Minister of Education
- Don McBean as Shadow Minister of Tourism, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, SaskGaming
- Jordan McPhail as Shadow Minister of Northern Affairs, Forestry, SaskTel
- Vicki Mowat as Shadow Minister of Health
- Betty Nippi-Albright as Shadow Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
- Joan Pratchler as Shadow Minister of Childcare and Early Learning
- Erika Ritchie as Shadow Minister of Crown Investments Corporation, SaskWater, the Water Security Agency, SaskBuilds and Procurement
- Jacqueline Roy as Shadow Minister of Human Rights, Francophone Affairs
- Nicole Sarauer as Shadow Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Corrections, Policing and Public Safety
- Brittney Senger as Shadow Minister of Status of Women, Disabilities and Community-Based Organizations
- Nathaniel Teed as Shadow Minister of Labour
- Darcy Warrington as Shadow Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport
- Trent Wotherspoon as Shadow Minister of Finance, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, Deputy Shadow Minister of Agriculture
- Aleana Young as Shadow Minister of Jobs and Economy, SaskPower