EDITOR’s NOTE: We previously stated only two NDP MPs were elected in Saskatchewan. There are, in fact, three. We regret the error.
Northern Saskatchewan leaders are weighing in on having an NDP MP elected, when much of the nation is now a sea of red.
On Monday night, the NDP’s Georgina Jolibois narrowly beat liberal candidate Lawrence Joseph in Desnethe-Missinipi Churchill River, and unseated Conservative incumbent Rob Clarke
La Ronge mayor Thomas Sierzycki, a self-proclaimed political junkie, admits it’s tough, knowing the Liberal sweep across Canada largely skipped Saskatchewan this election.
“I would hope, as any government, the notion is that you work for all people of this country. At the same time, perhaps if we did have more seats Liberal, we would have more of a direct voice in that government,” Sierzycki said.
He does see a majority government as an opportunity for the Liberals, under new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to follow through on campaign promises for First Nations people: things like First Nations education and environmental controls.
“Simply, you can’t just make a promise and only deliver to portions of the country where those First Nations communities perhaps supported the Liberal government; it will be overarching and oversweeping across the country,” Sierzycki said.
Jolibois is a member of an NDP team that took a major hit in this election – losing 59 of its seats in parliament. She, Regina-Lewvan’s Erin Weir and Saskatoon-West’s Sheri Benson are the only three Saskatchewan NDP candidates to gain seats in parliament.
With that in mind, Sierzycki said Jolibois will have her work cut out for her.
“She obviously has her heart for the north and I think she’ll be bringing forward the issues of northern Saskatchewan,” he said.
“(It) puts us in a tough position to be third-party representation but I think she will do a good job based on what she spoke about during the campaign.”
New North’s Ceo Al Loke says Jolibois – who is a chairperson with the northern advocacy group – will make herself heard within the federal government when it comes to aboriginal issues.
Loke says from New North’s perspective, Jolibois’ new role shows that municipal leaders can move further in municipal leadership