Carney’s election victory draws mixed reaction in Saskatchewan

Canada is waking up to a re-elected Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney after a federal election that saw dramatic shifts across the country, including the collapse of the NDP and a strong, but ultimately unsuccessful, Conservative push.

Political scientist Dr. Loleen Berdahl, executive director of the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, offered her analysis on the Evan Bray Show Tuesday morning.

Read More:

• Conservatives sweep Saskatchewan again, Liberals secure single seat
• Energy industry strikes hopeful tone after Liberal federal election win
• Alberta Premier Smith congratulates Carney, warns him against future ‘hostile acts’

Listen to the full interview with Bedahl here:

https://iono.fm/e/1550859

“What’s interesting is, if you put us back a few months, like last December, even early January, last night was impossible – and yet, somehow it happened,” Berdahl said.

“What strikes me about last night was the fact that such an unpopular returning incumbent government was returned to office.”

Berdahl emphasized that this election marked a major change in the political landscape of Canada.

“The move towards a much more traditional two-party system in Canada, which we haven’t had for decades… that’s really quite striking,” she said.

The NDP’s devastating loss was also a key theme in Berdahl’s commentary.

“The NDP has lost official party status, so that diminishes their resources… It’s quite demoralizing to have this result,” she said.

“To rebuild the party, you need people who are going to show up and be enthusiastic and make donations and do the work… with this kind of result, the question is, to what extent is the base going to want to do that?”

Despite making significant gains in popular vote and seat count, the Conservatives under Pierre Poilievre were unable to secure enough seats to form government.

“Normally that would be considered a great win,” Berdahl said. “In the past party system, when we were much more of a multi-party system, going above 40 per cent for the Conservatives was a guaranteed majority… and not being in that position, I think, is a very difficult thing for them.”

Berdahl also addressed Poilievre losing his own seat in the Carlton riding he’d held since 2004.

“When you’re a national leader, you aren’t in your riding as much,” she noted.

“It might just be that that Liberal momentum caught that particular riding as well.”

Looking ahead, Berdahl suggested another election may not be far off, and said it will likely happen “before the four-year mark,” though she added that none of the major parties appear eager to trigger a new vote.

“There’s no motivation amongst any of them, and I don’t think it would win anyone any favors or any congratulations from the electorate,” the political scientist said.

From Saskatchewan’s political leaders, the reaction was swift.

Premier Scott Moe shared his thoughts in a post to social media.

“I want to congratulate Prime Minister Mark Carney and all the leaders and candidates, their families and volunteers for a hard-fought campaign,” Moe wrote.

“Saskatchewan voters sent a strong message by voting for change.”

https://www.twitter.com/PremierScottMoe/status/1917245714867917202

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck issued a detailed statement highlighting her expectations for the incoming government.

“You have an opportunity to deliver on the priorities of the people of Saskatchewan within a united Canada,” Beck wrote.

“That includes a fair deal on equalization, signing a new deal to protect $10/day childcare, doing whatever is necessary to secure the removal of Chinese tariffs on canola, and significant investments in infrastructure — including rail lines, pipelines, power lines and highways — to get our goods to global markets.”

https://www.twitter.com/CarlaBeckSK/status/1917093883399606743

Beck also called for cross-party collaboration.

“We have a different House of Commons now, but all parties, including the Bloc Quebecois, need to focus on the future and that includes supporting and delivering on nation-building projects, like a pipeline to the East Coast.”

Chad Bachynski, mayor of Regina, also congratulated Carney on the win in a statement issued on Tuesday morning.

“We look forward to your leadership as we work together to build a stronger, inclusive Canada,” Bachynski said.

“We hope municipal funding will be prioritized for critical issues such as infrastructure and housing. Regina remains ready to collaborate with all levels of government to ensure a bright future for our residents.”

With a reshaped House of Commons and heightened stakes for national unity, the road ahead for the federal government will likely be anything but easy.