Saskatchewan New Democratic Party/Co-operative Commonwealth Federation leadership conventions

This page shows the results of leadership conventions in the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (known as the Farmer-Labour Party from 1932 to 1934, and the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation from 1934 to 1967). Prior to 2001, the leader was elected via a delegated convention. Following the resignation of Roy Romanow, the leader was chosen through a One Member One Vote election.

1932 Farmer-Labour Party leadership convention

(Held on July 27, 1932.)

*COLDWELL, M.J. accl.

Note: The Farmer-Labour Party was launched as a merger of Coldwell's Independent Labour Party of Saskatchewan and George Williams's United Farmers of Canada (Saskatchewan Section). Williams was nominated as a candidate, but withdrew in favour of Coldwell.

Developments, 1932-1936

In 1933, the Saskatchewan Farmer-Labour Party became the Saskatchewan branch of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation. Coldwell was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1935, and Williams was chosen as the Saskatchewan CCF's acting leader on December 16, 1935. Coldwell's resignation from the party leadership was not made official until July 17, 1936.

1936 Cooperative Commonwealth Federation leadership convention

(Held on July 17, 1936.)

*WILLIAMS, George accl.

Note: Hugh MacLean was also nominated as a candidate, but withdrew.

Developments, 1936-1942

Williams joined the Canadian armed forces in early 1941, and subsequently saw overseas action in World War II. On February 12, 1941, John Brockelbank was chosen to lead the party in the legislature. Williams still retained the position of party president until 1941, when Tommy Douglas was chosen to replace him. The next year, Douglas was elected party leader.

1942 Cooperative Commonwealth Federation leadership convention

(Held on July 17, 1942.)

*DOUGLAS, Tommy winner
*WILLIAMS, George
*BROCKELBANK, John
*VALLEAU, Oakland

Note: The vote totals were not announced. There are conflicting reports as to whether or not Brockelbank withdrew before voting began.

1943 Cooperative Commonwealth Federation leadership challenge

(Held on July 16, 1943.)

*DOUGLAS, Tommy won in landslide
*BROCKELBANK, John

Note: The vote totals were not announced. Valleau was again a candidate, but withdrew before balloting.

1961 Cooperative Commonwealth Federation leadership convention

(Held on November 3, 1961.)

*LLOYD, Woodrow 425
*TURNBULL, Ole 109

1970 New Democratic Party leadership convention

(Held on July 4, 1970.)

First Ballot:

*ROMANOW, Roy 300
*BLAKENEY, Allan 286
*MITCHELL, Don 187
*TAYLOR, George 78

Second Ballot:

*ROMANOW, Roy 320
*BLAKENEY, Allan 311
*MITCHELL, Don 219

Third Ballot:

*BLAKENEY, Allan 407
*ROMANOW, Roy 349

1987 New Democratic Party leadership convention

(Held on November 7, 1987.)

*ROMANOW, Roy accl.

2001 New Democratic Party leadership convention

First Ballot:

*CALVERT, Lorne 6542
*AXWORTHY, Chris 5344
*WIEBE, Nettie 3487
*SONNTAG, Maynard 1459
*BANDA, Scott 1269
*CROFFORD, Joanne 699
*BELANGER, Buckley 665

Second Ballot (Crofford and Belanger eliminated at under 5%):

*CALVERT, Lorne 6877
*AXWORTHY, Chris 5646
*WIEBE, Nettie 3749
*SONNTAG, Maynard 1712
*BANDA, Scott 1309

Third Ballot (Banda eliminated, Sonntag withdraws):

*CALVERT, Lorne 7831
*AXWORTHY, Chris 6686
*WIEBE, Nettie 4216

Fourth Ballot (Wiebe eliminated):

*CALVERT, Lorne 10289
*AXWORTHY, Chris 7575