Broten Returns to Swift Current to Speak at NDP Banquet

Cam Broten returned to speak at the Swift Current Constituency NDP Fundraising Banquet on Saturday, this time as leader of the opposition.

The Saskatoon-Massey Place MLA, who last spoke at the function in 2011, was elected leader of the provincial New Democrats this spring and just wrapped up his first session of the Legislature in that role.

"I'm pleased with how the team worked together in the legislature, and now is the time where we carry on the work," Broten said. "The focus shifts from the Legislature more to the province, and our team of NDP MLAs are out across the province talking to people and listening to people, as we are doing the work to bring forward their concerns and earn the trust of Saskatchewan people."

Broten says one of the big concerns he's heard surrounds the quality of care for seniors in Saskatchewan.

Full interview with Cam Broten

"We heard through the session that in too many instances, staffing levels just aren't there in care facilities that allow our loved ones to receive the care and have the dignity that they deserve and need, so we were very strong in talking about this issue in the Legislature," he added.

He adds that they also talked a lot about education concerns, saying the right investments must be made to address overcrowded classrooms, and ensure that children have the right learning environment.

Broten's last time at the fundraising banquet coincided with the end of the 2011 Federal Election campaign, and the wave of momentum that the late Jack Layton and the federal New Democrats rode to become the opposition in Parliament for the first time. Just months later, however, the Saskatchewan NDP won just nine seats in the Legislature in the provincial election, and former leader Dwain Lingenfelter resigned that night.

Along with the new leadership, the party has been working to rebuild and regain the confidence of Saskatchewan voters. Broten says it is now a positive time for the NDP and a time of renewed strength in the party across the province.

"In the leadership race, we welcomed in a huge number of young people across the province... youth membership went up 350% within the party," he added. "These are optomistic and good times for the provincial NDP, as we are working to rebuild and earn the trust of Saskatchewan people.

The last NDP MLA to repesent Swift Current was John Wall. He was defeated in 1999 by Brad Wall, who would become Premier of Saskatchewan in 2007.