Northern Sask. riding expected to be competitive in federal election

WATCH: A boundary change in Saskatchewan's northernmost riding could make it a competitive seat for the Liberals in next month's federal election.

The federal election next month will bring some changes in northern Saskatchewan that could play a part when results are tallied on April 28.

Electoral districts are reviewed every 10 years to reflect changes in Canada’s population, according to Elections Canada.

The most recent review resulted in boundaries being moved and new districts being created, including Desnethé--Missinippi--Churchill River in northern Saskatchewan.

University of Saskatchewan political studies professor Daniel Westlake says redistribution in that riding moved the boundary north, which could favour the Liberal Party.

“A bunch of people that voted conservative in that riding in the last two elections no longer live in that riding,” Westlake said.

“And that makes the riding competitive for the liberals.”

Westlake says former long-time NDP MLA Buckley Belanger, who is the Liberal candidate for the riding, will make that race “interesting to watch.”

Belanger was second in the 2021 election with 5,533, following Gary Vidal’s 10,036 votes.

Westlake says other ridings in the province aren’t nearly as competitive after the Conservatives swept Saskatchewan in 2021, taking all 14 seats in the province.

Westlake argues while Alberta gets much of the attention for being a Conservative stronghold, and the birthplace of western alienation, Saskatchewan is the new home of conservative values.

“I think the unfortunate thing in federal elections is Saskatchewan gets pretty boring,” he said.

“The reality is this is a very conservative province. I would argue, actually more conservative than Alberta, just because of the rural nature of the province. There’s a lot less that’s competitive here.”

Other students on campus Monday felt the current climate makes sense for an election

“What I can say is this is a really strange time to be,” William Buchmann said.

With much of the attention leading up to Sunday’s federal election announcement surrounding United States President Donald Trump and his repeated threats of tariffs, economic annexation and making Canada the 51st State, a snap election isn’t all that surprising.

“We’re happy to see an election is actually happening after so long,” Buchmann said.

Westlake says the rhetoric and potential response surrounding Trump’s claims have changed the outlook of this election entirely.

“The fact that we have Donald Trump and the threat of tariffs has given the Liberal Party an issue that is not as damaging to them as the cost of living and kind of accumulation of ten years of government problems that they were facing at the outset of the election,” he said.

Alternatively, after rallying for a change in leadership and to abolish the carbon tax for years, the Liberals checked both of those items off the list prior to the writ dropping.

Westlake says responding to Trump favours the party in power, and the Conservatives have some work to do after spending much of the last year leading polls.

“One of the problems that Pierre Poilievre faces on this issue is he is not the Prime Minister,” Westlake said. “I’m not surprised this has given the Conservatives some problems because it’s not clear what large proposal they can make here that is different from the Liberals.”

First-time voter Suniya Soleimani says it’s more of an even playing field following Trudeau’s resignation, and she’s eager to make her voice heard.

“Making everything more accessible for people who are lower income or even students as well, because the cost of living is getting so high,” she said.

If the last few months can teach us anything, plenty can change between now and when Canadians cast their ballot on April 28.