Ralph Goodale looks to build Liberal support in Saskatchewan with win

There was an echoing cheer at Ralph Goodale campaign headquarters as Liberal Party supporters celebrated a majority government.

For Goodale, this will be the second time he serves under a Trudeau government. He was first elected in the former rural riding of Assiniboia in 1974 under Pierre Trudeau.

“It’s the bridge, I guess, between the generations. It brings an interesting perspective on the decision-making process and the political continuity of the country,” Goodale commented.

He says there are some similarities between father and son in terms of leadership skills and the ability to motivate more people to vote. But when it comes to policy, Goodale says Justin Trudeau is focused on the future and prepared to represent the whole country and not just part of it.

Goodale has experience working in a Liberal cabinet. His most recent position was as minister of finance under Prime Minister Paul Martin. When asked if he will reprise that role or take another senior position, Goodale would not say.

“That will be up to Mr. Trudeau to decide. I’m very happy to be part of his team,” he said.

Goodale has held the same seat in the Wascana riding consistently since 1993 but he is also one of the only Liberals to be consistently elected in Saskatchewan.

“It clearly is a challenge for the new government to make sure that despite the numbers, we thoroughly and effectively represent the whole country, and that we work very hard to accomplish that,” he said.

Goodale says the Liberals still have a lot of work to do to build support in Saskatchewan.