REGINA – Eleven weeks after the writ was dropped, it still appears Saskatchewan could play a role if there’s a change in government. After the polls close in the province at 7:30 p.m., these are a few of the things we’ll be watching.
1. How will the urbanized ridings impact results in Saskatoon and Regina?
The battle lines were re-drawn for 2015. Several ridings previously split between urban and rural voters now have boundaries near city limits.
This may be felt most in Saskatoon-West and Regina-Lewvan – two districts that, with votes redistributed from 2011, would have gone to the NDP.
Close races are expected in the other two Saskatoon ridings as well.
WATCH BELOW: 4 Sask. federal ridings to watch
2. Will the Conservatives maintain a stronghold on rural Saskatchewan seats?
Just one Saskatchewan seat was captured a non-Conservative candidate, with many winning more than 60 per cent of the popular vote.
It would be considered an upset if the NDP or Liberals were able to pick up one of the eight seats outside the major cities – though the latest polls suggest the northern riding of Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River may be a two-way race.
Otherwise, the Tories could sweep rural Saskatchewan once again.
3. What role will Ralph Goodale’s have if the Liberals form government?
Many polling firms suggest Justin Trudeau and the Liberals will win the election and may be headed toward forming a majority government.
Under past Liberal governments, Regina-Wascana‘s Ralph Goodale handled several portfolios including Finance Minister under Paul Martin.
As the party’s Deputy Leader since 2010, it’s likely Goodale would be handed a senior post once again if the Liberals are victorious.
READ MORE: How Global Regina & Global Saskatoon are covering the federal election
4. How will the next government treat Saskatchewan?
The three major parties have been jockeying to show Saskatchewan voters what they can offer to a province that has typically been a Conservative haven in recent federal elections.
Justin Trudeau was the first leader to stop in this province, hitting both major cities as well as La Ronge and Meadow Lake, pledging millions of dollars for First Nations education.
NDP leader Tom Mulcair made a couple visits to Saskatoon and Regina, but the party platform on energy sometimes clashes with public opinion on the sector’s role in Saskatchewan.
The Conservatives under Stephen Harper are pushing continued development of pipelines, though local Liberals and New Democrats reaffirmed their support.
Both Mulcair and Trudeau have committed to sitting down at the annual meeting of Canada’s premiers, which Harper hasn’t attended since 2009.
Premier Brad Wall, whose Saskatchewan Party most closely identifies with the Conservative platform, suggested a federal NDP government would be bad for the province. He wasn’t as strongly against a Liberal government, but touted issues that are most favourable to the Tories. Finally, Wall wasn’t happy with any party’s position on equalization payments.
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