Saskatchewan Liberal Party
Encyclopedia
The Saskatchewan Liberal Party is a liberal
political party
in the Canadian
province of Saskatchewan
.
s, and being in power for all but five of the years between the province's creation in 1905 and World War II
. Located on the middle of the political spectrum, it assiduously courted "ethnic" (i.e., non-British) voters, as well as the organized farm movement, and refused to pander to "nativist
" sentiment that culminated in the short, spectacular existence of the Ku Klux Klan
in Saskatchewan in 1927-28.
, however, Saskatchewan experienced a dramatic change when it elected the first democratic socialist
government in North America
under Tommy Douglas
and the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
(CCF). The Liberals moved to the political right
and remained out of power for twenty years until Ross Thatcher's victory in 1964 election
. Thatcher led the Liberals to re-election in 1967.
After the defeat of the Liberals in the 1971 election
at the hands of the CCF's successor, the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
, the party remained the principal opposition party in the province until the 1978 election
, when the Liberal Party was wiped out and replaced by the Progressive Conservatives
.
Lynda Haverstock
in 1989. The Liberals were only able to take limited advantage of the collapse of Grant Devine
's scandal and deficit-ridden Conservative government in the 1991 election
, but Haverstock was able to win her Saskatoon seat.
In the 1995 election
, the Liberals displaced the Progressive Conservatives to become the Official Opposition
to the re-elected New Democratic government of Roy Romanow
. Dissatisfaction within the Liberal caucus saw the resignation of Lynda Haverstock as party leader.
On November 24, 1996, the Saskatchewan Liberal party elected Jim Melenchuk
on the third ballot as party leader. In 1997, four Liberal Members of the Legislative Assembly
(MLAs) joined forces with four MLAs from the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan to form the Saskatchewan Party
.
The 1999 election
reduced the Liberals, then led by Jim Melenchuk
, to only four seats and third party status in the legislature. The fourth seat, Wood River
later had its election results overturned and a by-election was held and won by Yogi Huyghebaert
the Saskatchewan Party candidate. The New Democrats, however, had only won a minority
of seats and persuaded three Liberals to form a coalition government
with the New Democrats. Two Liberals, Jim Melenchuk and Jack Hillson were then appointed to positions in the Cabinet
and the third Ron Osika
was elected Speaker of the Legislature. Rank-and-file members of the Liberal party were against the coalition government
and called for a leadership convention. On 27 October 2001 Saskatchewan Liberals elected businessman David Karwacki
as the new leader after defeating MLA Jack Hillson
who had initially joined the coalition, but later withdrew. Karwacki soon ordered the other two Liberal MLAs, Melenchuk and Ron Osika to leave the coalition. They refused and sat as independent Members of the Legislative Assembly and continued in the coalition.
The internal party feud hurt Liberal fortunes, as did a polarized electorate
, and a poorly run election campaign which saw the party shut out of the legislature in the 2003 election. It was the first time in over 20 years in which the Liberal Party was unable to win a single seat. In the 2007 election
the Saskatchewan Liberal Party was once again shut out of the Legislature. Karawacki resigned as Liberal leader one month later.
Ryan Bater
was ratified as the Liberal leader at the Saskatchewan Liberal Party Convention
on 21 February 2009. At the same convention, the party passed a declaration of principles, which sought to reposition the Liberals as the party of "Personal Liberty, Free Enterprise, and Responsible Government". As well, a proposal was approved separating the federal and provincial Liberal parties in Saskatchewan into two independent organizations.
In the 2011 Saskatchewan general election
, the Liberals ran nine candidates and failed to win a seat in the legislature. Overall, they fell to fourth place behind the third place finishing Green Party of Saskatchewan
.The party's platform focused on cutting the provincial sales tax, curbing government expenditures and creating a sovereign wealth fund entitled the Saskatchewan Future Fund.
Scott, Martin and Dunning were Premiers for the duration of their party's leadership. Patterson was Premier for all but 2 years of his leadership. Thatcher became Premier after 5 years as the Leader of the Opposition and remained leader until the end of his Premiership.
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
.
Early history (to 1944)
The party dominated Saskatchewan politics for the province's first forty years providing six of the first seven PremierPremier of Saskatchewan
The Premier of Saskatchewan is the first minister for the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive....
s, and being in power for all but five of the years between the province's creation in 1905 and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Located on the middle of the political spectrum, it assiduously courted "ethnic" (i.e., non-British) voters, as well as the organized farm movement, and refused to pander to "nativist
Nativism (politics)
Nativism favors the interests of certain established inhabitants of an area or nation as compared to claims of newcomers or immigrants. It may also include the re-establishment or perpetuation of such individuals or their culture....
" sentiment that culminated in the short, spectacular existence of the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
in Saskatchewan in 1927-28.
Varying fortunes (1944-1978)
In the 1944 electionSaskatchewan general election, 1944
The Saskatchewan general election of 1944 was the tenth provincial election in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 15, 1944 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
, however, Saskatchewan experienced a dramatic change when it elected the first democratic socialist
Democratic socialism
Democratic socialism is a description used by various socialist movements and organizations to emphasize the democratic character of their political orientation...
government in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
under Tommy Douglas
Tommy Douglas
Thomas Clement "Tommy" Douglas, was a Scottish-born Baptist minister who became a prominent Canadian social democratic politician...
and the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation was a Canadian political party founded in 1932 in Calgary, Alberta, by a number of socialist, farm, co-operative and labour groups, and the League for Social Reconstruction...
(CCF). The Liberals moved to the political right
Right-wing politics
In politics, Right, right-wing and rightist generally refer to support for a hierarchical society justified on the basis of an appeal to natural law or tradition. To varying degrees, the Right rejects the egalitarian objectives of left-wing politics, claiming that the imposition of equality is...
and remained out of power for twenty years until Ross Thatcher's victory in 1964 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1964
The Saskatchewan general election of 1964 was the fifteenth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on April 22, 1964, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
. Thatcher led the Liberals to re-election in 1967.
After the defeat of the Liberals in the 1971 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1971
The Saskatchewan general election of 1971 was the seventeenth provincial election in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 23, 1971, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
at the hands of the CCF's successor, the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party is a social-democratic political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It currently forms the official opposition, but has been a dominant force in Saskatchewan politics since the 1940s...
, the party remained the principal opposition party in the province until the 1978 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1978
The Saskatchewan general election of 1978 was the nineteenth provincial election in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on October 18, 1978, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
, when the Liberal Party was wiped out and replaced by the Progressive Conservatives
Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
The Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan is a right-of-centre political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Prior to 1942, it was known as the Conservative Party of Saskatchewan. Members are commonly known as Tories....
.
Recent history
The Liberals came under the leadership of future Lieutenant GovernorLieutenant Governor (Canada)
In Canada, a lieutenant governor is the viceregal representative in a provincial jurisdiction of the Canadian monarch and head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, who resides predominantly in her oldest realm, the United Kingdom...
Lynda Haverstock
Lynda Haverstock
- External links :***...
in 1989. The Liberals were only able to take limited advantage of the collapse of Grant Devine
Grant Devine
Donald Grant Devine was the 11th Premier of Saskatchewan from May 8, 1982 to November 1, 1991.- Early life :Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, he received a B.Sc. in Agriculture degree specializing in Agricultural Economics in 1967 from the University of Saskatchewan, an M.Sc. specializing in...
's scandal and deficit-ridden Conservative government in the 1991 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1991
The Saskatchewan general election of 1991 was the twenty-second provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on October 21, 1991, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
, but Haverstock was able to win her Saskatoon seat.
In the 1995 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1995
The Saskatchewan general election of 1995 was the twenty-third provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 21, 1995 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
, the Liberals displaced the Progressive Conservatives to become the Official Opposition
Official Opposition (Canada)
In Canada, Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition , commonly known as the Official Opposition, is usually the largest parliamentary opposition party in the House of Commons or a provincial legislative assembly that is not in government, either on its own or as part of a governing coalition...
to the re-elected New Democratic government of Roy Romanow
Roy Romanow
Roy John Romanow, PC, OC, QC, SOM is a Canadian politician and the 12th Premier of Saskatchewan ....
. Dissatisfaction within the Liberal caucus saw the resignation of Lynda Haverstock as party leader.
On November 24, 1996, the Saskatchewan Liberal party elected Jim Melenchuk
Jim Melenchuk
Jim Melenchuk is a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Saskatoon Northwest in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 1999 to 2003....
on the third ballot as party leader. In 1997, four Liberal Members of the Legislative Assembly
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
(MLAs) joined forces with four MLAs from the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan to form the Saskatchewan Party
Saskatchewan Party
The Saskatchewan Party is a conservative liberal political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The party was established in 1997 by a coalition of former provincial Progressive Conservative and Liberal party members and supporters who sought to remove the Saskatchewan New Democratic...
.
The 1999 election
Saskatchewan general election, 1999
The Saskatchewan general election of 1999 was the twenty-fourth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on September 16, 1999 to elect members of the 24th Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
reduced the Liberals, then led by Jim Melenchuk
Jim Melenchuk
Jim Melenchuk is a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Saskatoon Northwest in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 1999 to 2003....
, to only four seats and third party status in the legislature. The fourth seat, Wood River
Wood River
- In Canada :* Wood River , a tributary of the Columbia River via Kinbasket Lake- In the United States :* Wood River * Wood River , Connecticut & Rhode Island* Big Wood River, Idaho* Little Wood River, Idaho...
later had its election results overturned and a by-election was held and won by Yogi Huyghebaert
Yogi Huyghebaert
Delwood Frederick "Yogi" Huyghebaert, O.M.M., C.D. is the current Member of the Legislative Assembly for the riding of Wood River, Saskatchewan. He represents the Saskatchewan Party....
the Saskatchewan Party candidate. The New Democrats, however, had only won a minority
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
of seats and persuaded three Liberals to form a coalition government
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
with the New Democrats. Two Liberals, Jim Melenchuk and Jack Hillson were then appointed to positions in the Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
and the third Ron Osika
Ron Osika
Ronald Osika is a Saskatchewan politician.He was born in Hafford, Saskatchewan and educated in The Battlefords. A former officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Osika's first foray into politics was an unsuccessful bid for a Reform Party nomination in 1992.He was first elected from Melville...
was elected Speaker of the Legislature. Rank-and-file members of the Liberal party were against the coalition government
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
and called for a leadership convention. On 27 October 2001 Saskatchewan Liberals elected businessman David Karwacki
David Karwacki
David Karwacki , Canadian politician, was Leader of the Saskatchewan Liberals between October 2001 and December 2007....
as the new leader after defeating MLA Jack Hillson
Jack Hillson
Jack Hillson was a Canadian provincial politician. He was the Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for the constituency of North Battleford from 1996 to 2003.-Footnotes:...
who had initially joined the coalition, but later withdrew. Karwacki soon ordered the other two Liberal MLAs, Melenchuk and Ron Osika to leave the coalition. They refused and sat as independent Members of the Legislative Assembly and continued in the coalition.
The internal party feud hurt Liberal fortunes, as did a polarized electorate
Polarization (politics)
In politics, polarization is the process by which the public opinion divides and goes to the extremes. It can also refer to when the extreme factions of a political party gain dominance in a party. In either case moderate voices often lose power and influence as a consequence.-Definitions of...
, and a poorly run election campaign which saw the party shut out of the legislature in the 2003 election. It was the first time in over 20 years in which the Liberal Party was unable to win a single seat. In the 2007 election
Saskatchewan general election, 2007
The 26th Saskatchewan general election was held on November 7, 2007; the writ was dropped on October 10, 2007. The election determined the composition of the 26th Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
the Saskatchewan Liberal Party was once again shut out of the Legislature. Karawacki resigned as Liberal leader one month later.
Ryan Bater
Ryan Bater
Ryan Bater is a Canadian politician, who is the current leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party.Raised in The Battlefords, Ryan Bater was educated at the University of Saskatchewan where he earned a degree in business economics...
was ratified as the Liberal leader at the Saskatchewan Liberal Party Convention
Saskatchewan Liberal Party leadership conventions
This page shows the results of leadership elections in the Saskatchewan Liberal Party, covering the period from 1905 to the present day. All leadership contests in the Saskatchewan Liberal Party have been determined by delegated conventions....
on 21 February 2009. At the same convention, the party passed a declaration of principles, which sought to reposition the Liberals as the party of "Personal Liberty, Free Enterprise, and Responsible Government". As well, a proposal was approved separating the federal and provincial Liberal parties in Saskatchewan into two independent organizations.
In the 2011 Saskatchewan general election
Saskatchewan general election, 2011
The 27th Saskatchewan general election was held on November 7, 2011, to elect 58 members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan . The election was called on October 10 by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, on the advice of Premier Brad Wall...
, the Liberals ran nine candidates and failed to win a seat in the legislature. Overall, they fell to fourth place behind the third place finishing Green Party of Saskatchewan
Green Party of Saskatchewan
The Green Party of Saskatchewan is a left-leaning Green political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.It was founded in 1998 as the New Green Alliance by environmental and social justice activists frustrated by the social democratic Saskatchewan New Democratic Party's move to the right...
.The party's platform focused on cutting the provincial sales tax, curbing government expenditures and creating a sovereign wealth fund entitled the Saskatchewan Future Fund.
Party leaders
- Walter ScottThomas Walter ScottThomas Walter Scott – known less formally as Walter Scott – was the first Premier of the province of Saskatchewan in Canada .-Background:...
(August 16, 1905 - October 1916) - William M. Martin (October 20, 1916 - April 5, 1922)
- Charles A. Dunning (April 5, 1922 - February 26, 1926)
- James G. Gardiner (February 26, 1926 - October 31, 1935)
- William John PattersonWilliam John PattersonWilliam John Patterson was a Liberal Premier of Saskatchewan, Canada. He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in the 1921 election. He succeeded James G. Gardiner to become the province's first Saskatchewan-born premier in 1935.Patterson's leadership was considered to be...
(October 31, 1935 - August 6, 1946) - Walter TuckerWalter Tucker (Canadian politician)Walter Adam Tucker was a Canadian politician.Born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Tucker earned his BA from the University of Manitoba and a law degree from the University of Saskatchewan....
(August 6, 1946–1954) - Alexander H. McDonald (November 26, 1954 - September 24, 1959)
- Ross Thatcher (September 24, 1959–1971)
- David SteuartDavid SteuartDavid Gordon "Davey" Steuart was a Saskatchewan politician, cabinet minister and Senator.Born in Moose Jaw, Steuart moved to Prince Albert with his family. He was elected to the city council in 1951 and later served two terms as mayor...
(December 11, 1971–1976) - Ted MaloneEdward Cyril MaloneEdward Cyril "Ted" Malone was a Saskatchewan lawyer and politician. He represented Regina Lakeview in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 1973 to 1978 and was leader of the Liberal Party of Saskatchewan from 1976 to 1981....
(December 11, 1976–1981) - Ralph GoodaleRalph GoodaleRalph Edward Goodale, PC, MP was Canada's Minister of Finance from 2003 to 2006 and continues to be a Liberal Member of Parliament...
(June 13, 1981–1988) - Lynda HaverstockLynda Haverstock- External links :***...
(April 2, 1989 - November 12, 1995) - Ron OsikaRon OsikaRonald Osika is a Saskatchewan politician.He was born in Hafford, Saskatchewan and educated in The Battlefords. A former officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Osika's first foray into politics was an unsuccessful bid for a Reform Party nomination in 1992.He was first elected from Melville...
(1996, interimInterim leaderAn interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
) - Jim MelenchukJim MelenchukJim Melenchuk is a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Saskatoon Northwest in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 1999 to 2003....
(November 24, 1996–2001) - David KarwackiDavid KarwackiDavid Karwacki , Canadian politician, was Leader of the Saskatchewan Liberals between October 2001 and December 2007....
(October 27, 2001 - December 21, 2007) - Frank Proto (December 21, 2007 - February 21, 2009, interim)
- Ryan BaterRyan BaterRyan Bater is a Canadian politician, who is the current leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party.Raised in The Battlefords, Ryan Bater was educated at the University of Saskatchewan where he earned a degree in business economics...
(February 21, 2009–present)
Scott, Martin and Dunning were Premiers for the duration of their party's leadership. Patterson was Premier for all but 2 years of his leadership. Thatcher became Premier after 5 years as the Leader of the Opposition and remained leader until the end of his Premiership.
See also
- Saskatchewan Liberal Party leadership conventionsSaskatchewan Liberal Party leadership conventionsThis page shows the results of leadership elections in the Saskatchewan Liberal Party, covering the period from 1905 to the present day. All leadership contests in the Saskatchewan Liberal Party have been determined by delegated conventions....
- List of Saskatchewan political parties
- Politics of SaskatchewanPolitics of SaskatchewanThe Politics of Saskatchewan are part of the Canadian federal political system along with the other Canadian provinces. Saskatchewan has a Lieutenant-Governor, Gordon Barnhart, who is the representative of the Crown in Right of Saskatchewan, an elected premier, Brad Wall, leading the Cabinet, and a...
- Jason KenneyJason KenneyJason T. Kenney, PC, MP is Canada's current Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. He has represented the riding of Calgary Southeast in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997....
- former Saskatchewan Liberal organizer and current Conservative MP and cabinet minister