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), a 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. James T.M. Anderson briefly formed a Conservative government from 1930-34 by an alliance with the Progressives (see Progressive Party of Canada) in the provincial legislature.

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. The actions of the provincial and federal government as well as the trekkers in relation to the riot (as well as those involved in the Estevan Riot) contributed to public sentiment.

For many years, Saskatchewan has been one of Canada's more left-leaning provinces, reflecting many of its citizens' feelings of alienation from the interests of large capital. In 1944 Tommy Douglas became premier of the first avowedly socialist regional government in North America. Most of his MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) represented rural and small-town ridings. Under his CCF Cooperative Commonwealth Federation government, Saskatchewan became the first province to have Medicare, billed at the time as government-funded mandatory universal medical insurance. In 1961, Douglas left provincial politics to become the first leader of the federal New Democratic Party.

Postwar period

During most of the postwar period, the CCF and its successor, the Saskatchewan New Democrats 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, but became insignificant following the defeat of Ross Thatcher's Liberal government in 1971. 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 "Monday Night Massacre". 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 soundly in 1991. Many 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 centre-right Saskatchewan Party was formed, with four Progressive Conservatives and four Liberals joing 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 Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall, whose government came to power in the 2007 election with a majority -- the Saskatchewan Party won 38 seats in the 58-seat Legislative Assembly, while the NDP won the remaining 20 seats.

Federal politics

Paradoxically, despite the NDP's three long stretches as the provincial government, in recent decades the province leans more to the right in 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 NDP opposition, the federal NDP has been shut out of the province for two consecutive elections. The only Liberal Member of Parliament is former Finance Minister Ralph Goodale.

Aboriginal politics

Saskatchewan, when compared to other provinces, has a large Aboriginal population. First Nations comprise 10.6% of the overall population, and Métis people 4.2%. 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.

Metis 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 Counties.

ee 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

References

External links

* [http://www.gov.sk.ca Government of Saskatchewan]