After a historic defeat in the 2011 provincial election, four candidates are hoping they can bring the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party back to power. Erin Weir, Cam Broten, Ryan Meili and Trent Wotherspoon took questions from the audience and one another over a two hour conversation in front of close to 100 people on Thursday night at First United Church in Swift Current.
Full NDP Debate Audio The debate didn't feature many tense moments as the candidates mostly agreed with each other's basic positions.
“I think we're striking a good balance between showing difference between our positions, but not letting it become acrimonious or insulting,” said candidate Ryan Meili. “I think politics in general has become so polarized and nasty that it's turning people off.”
The southwest certainly wasn't NDP territory in the last election as they were shutout and soundly defeated in all local ridings. Every candidate had their own take on how they can rebuild the brand in this part of the province.
Full Interview with Trent Wotherspoon“I think recognizing for one that we're not perfect and that we've lost a relationship with many communities across the province,” said candidate Trent Wotherspoon. “We need to go out not in an entitled way but in a way that is ready to genuinely earn it once again. Build out those partnerships... for me I believe that starts with listening and then to reflect what we're hearing.”
Despite being from Shaunavon, former NDP leader Dwain Lingenfelter wasn't able to make a breakthrough in this region. MLA Cam Broten hopes a change in guidance could help them address their deficiencies here.
Full Interview with Cam Broten“We've got a lot of work to do,” Broten said. “The concerns of this region are concerns that this party cares about and that I care about... I think it's talking about what we believe, the view that we want to have prosperity shared by many and to reduce inequality in the province. A big part of it is the messenger too and how well that individual is received by the public.”
For Erin Weir it's painting a clear picture of the differences between the NDP and the governing Sask Party.
Full Interview with Erin Weir“Often people will just vote for the incumbent if it's not really clear what the choice is between the parties,” Weir said. “We need to stake out a clear policy alternative. Criticize what the Sask Party is doing wrong, but even more important be propositional about what we'd do differently.”
There is a perception that the NDP only has strength in urban centres. All candidates expressed the importance of not giving up on rural ridings.
Full Interview with Ryan Meili“We either through an approach that wasn't popular... or through a platform that didn't resonate, or an insufficient presence in this area,” Meili said when reflecting on their failures in southwest Saskatchewan. “I think we need to be in Cypress Hills, Shaunavon and Swift Current sitting down with people, having conversations, listening and then coming back again and saying here is what we think you said and a policy we think would help.”
“Once upon a time it was assumed that certain areas of rural Saskatchewan were NDP and NDP forever and we didn't have to try... not the Sask Party is making that same mistake.”
The winning candidate will have to eventually campaign against Brad Wall, Canada's highest polling premier. While debating in Wall's backyard of Swift Current, each tried to identify things that made them the most prepared for that task.
“I think my experience in the legislature is especially important,” Broten noted. “Debating and knowing how to interact with the premier and the Sask Party. We need to as a party once again resonate with Saskatchewan people and appeal to a cross sections of people.”
For others it would be a focus on policy.
“Certainly the premier is popular,” Wotherspoon said. “But we'll focus on where he's making decisions that aren't in our best interest, we'll focus on those policies in a specific way... the fact that they can't get a handle on our finances or the fact that they're really not doing meaningful work as it relates to housing.”
Weir joked about his lack of charisma while addressing how he would deal with the challenge of the top job.
“I don't think we can win a popularity contest against Brad Wall,” Weir said. “I don't think we should try to. I think that what we should do is challenge the Sask Party on the issues, set out a clear alternative policy vision and have a debate about substance.”
NDP members elect a new leader on March 9th.
Fri, Apr 26, 10:00 AM
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