NDP introduce by-election bill to close elections law loophole

Unless the Sask. Party government moves to close a loophole their fixed-election-date law introduced, residents of the constituencies of Regina Walsh Acres and Saskatoon Eastview will go more than a year without an MLA before the next provincial election. To close this loophole, NDP Ethics and Democracy Critic David Forbes tabled a bill today that would require a by-election be called within six months of a seat becoming vacant when the period between general elections is more than 48 months.

“MLAs Warren Steinley and Corey Tochor have already been nominated candidates in the next federal race,” said Forbes. “They’re focusing on a job other than what the people of Saskatchewan elected them to do, and by law they’ll have to resign their seats when the writ drops next August. But because of a loophole in the Election Act, the Sask. Party won’t have to face a vote in those constituencies for a further fourteen months, leaving those people with no voice in the Legislature. That’s unfair.”

Normally, a by-election must be called no less than six months after a seat becomes vacant, unless more than 40 months have passed since the last general election. This is reasonable when the traditional four-year mandate is respected, but when a government extends its mandate well beyond four years, as the Sask. Party did in 2016 and will do again in 2020, the current rules deny voters the representation they expect.

The NDP amendment would close this loophole by removing the 40-month caveat if an election is scheduled to happen more than four years after the previous election. This change would require the government to call by-elections in August 2019 when Steinley and Tochor quit to run federally.

“The Sask. Party is unrepentant about their plan to leave residents of Saskatoon and Regina without an MLA for the entire last year of Moe’s term in office,” said Forbes. “That’s not the democracy that Saskatchewan people expect. The Premier should uphold the democratic principles we hold dear and close this loophole.”

Latest posts

SHADOW MINISTER OF FORESTRY JORDAN MCPHAIL RESPONDS TO THE CURTAILMENT OF THE BIG RIVER SAWMILL

My thoughts are with the 117 workers and their families who will be impacted by this decision.

These are families being thrown into financial anxiety, because of the total mismanagement of Saskatchewan's forestry industry by Scott Moe and the Sask. Party.

From refusing to assist the forest sector when it comes to Donald Trump's tariffs, to allowing disease, insects, and wildfires to devastate forests and destroy investment, it’s clear that Scott Moe and the Sask. Party don't view our forests as assets worth managing.

Our team has made a number of calls to support the forest sector, including allowing dues free salvage of the burned areas to aid reforestation, to focusing on replanting to show a commitment to growth.

Carla Beck’s team has listened to the industry and community stakeholders for the forest sector, and are working to support them to protect the good jobs and communities that rely on them.

The Sask. Party has failed the forest sector, workers and communities for nearly two decades, and now 117 workers in Prince Albert are facing the consequences.

It’s time for change.

-30-

SASK. PARTY TELLS APPLYING CHILDCARE PROVIDERS THERE IS ‘NO NEED’ WHILE FAMILIES WAIT YEARS FOR A SPACE

Scott Moe’s Sask. Party Breaks Promise Of Childcare Access For Families
SASKATOON – Carla Beck's team is calling on Scott Moe to explain why prospective childcare providers are being denied licenses after receiving letters stating that the government believes there is "no need" for additional childcare spaces — even as families across the province remain on waitlists for months and, in many cases, years.

AS THOUSANDS DEMAND ANSWERS, CARLA BECK’S TEAM PLANS OPEN HOUSE TO HEAR CONCERNS ON MOOSE JAW-AREA AI DATA CENTRE

Power Usage, Data Security, Environmental Impact Among Common Concerns

MOOSE JAW – Carla Beck is in Moose Jaw today to personally invite people deeply concerned about a proposed AI data centre at Moose Jaw’s Valley View site to an open house next month to voice their concerns and talk about what her team intends to do to get answers.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM LAUNCHES TOUR FOCUSED ON KEEPING RURAL EMERGENCY ROOMS OPEN, BEING TRANSPARENT WHEN THEY’RE NOT

Summer Tour Comes As Part Of Ongoing Your Care, Your Say Project
BALGONIE – Carla Beck's team will be hitting the road this summer to talk to people in dozens of rural Saskatchewan communities about the need to deliver big, bold change in healthcare to keep hospital emergency rooms open — and to, at least, provide lifesaving information when they’re closed.

NDP Caucus Office