Members of Saskatchewan’s New Democratic Party gathered in Saskatoon this weekend for their annual convention.
The convention focused on “building together,” as party members discussed everything from homeless shelter funding cuts to losing the last provincial election.
“We’re ready to do the work we need to do, rolling up our sleeves to earn back the trust and to build,” said Saskatchewan NDP leader Trent Wotherspoon. “Not just our part, but most importantly, to build the province.”
Wotherspoon spoke as a keynote speaker Saturday morning. In his speech, Wotherspoon said the Saskatchewan Party’s financial mismanagement is hurting the province’s most vulnerable. He said he would like to see government cuts to education, hospitals and mental health services reversed.
“The fact of not providing those services plays out in very tragic realities in peoples’ lives that none of us should accept,” he said. “It impacts all of us as a province economically (and) socially.”
Other speakers included NDP MLAs from Alberta and Manitoba. The out-of-province speakers offered hope to the party, which currently holds 10 of 61 seats in the Saskatchewan legislature.
“Start putting in the work,” said Wab Kinew, an NDP MLA from Manitoba. “Persuade the people of Saskatchewan that the NDP are fighting for their interests and knows what the issues are.”
Nicole Sarauer, MLA for Regina’s Douglas Park, said the party is focusing on “listening to the people of Saskatchewan, listening to the members (and) figuring out what we can do better.”
The conference runs until Sunday.
Based on a report by CTV Saskatoon's Taylor Rattray
