What’s changing in the Saskatchewan election

SASKATOON – From new constituencies to a completely different financial picture, a lot has changed since the last provincial election.

For one, the election map is significantly different from 2011. There are three new constituencies now, Regina Pasqua, Saskatoon Stonebridge-Dakota and Saskatoon Silverspring-Sutherland.

Twelve other ridings have also been revamped, with new names and new boundaries.

FULL COVERAGE: Saskatchewan Election 2016

Charles Smith, political science professor at the University of Saskatchewan, says a lot could change depending on where you live.

“I think it’s going to be an important race to watch in those new ridings. It could sway the momentum of either party,” he said.

“The measure of success for the NDP will be its ability to get those new seats. Can it break into suburban Saskatchewan? Because if they can do really well in the cities, I think it’s a really important momentum for them to rebuild and go forward,” he added.

And with several incumbent Sask Party candidates retiring this year, Smith says that could be the NDP’s best bet to picking up new seats.

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How you vote is also changing.

For the first time, advance polls are open to anyone, even if you’re in the province on election day.

“This is the first election in which you don’t need to have a reason in order to vote in advance,” said Dr. Michael Boda, chief electoral officer at Elections Saskatchewan.

He adds the goal is trying to make the process more accessible.

“We’ve introduced what’s called home-bound voting. Individuals who have a disability or have a mobility issue, they can be in touch with our local returning officer and we can arrange to bring a ballot out to them.”

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But perhaps the most striking change from the last election is Saskatchewan’s economy.

“2011 you’re right in the middle of a resource boom, very high oil prices, record high potash prices. Employments levels through the roof. Very little unemployment,” Smith points out.

Now, he says resources have tumbled, unemployment is creeping and there’s a sense of concern all around.  Still, he thinks the polls say a lot about Sask Party leader, Brad Wall.

“Had we been in a recession a year or two prior to the election, I think you would have seen a lot more discussion about the big economic questions,” he said.

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