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Second preliminary count results, Moe's task of building a cabinet, attention turns to municipal races, a final look at ad spending, and Singh will not vote for a federal election this fall.
October 31, 2024 | Advertise with us
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Hereâs The SKoop for Thursday, October 31:
Mail-in results flip Saskatoon Westview,
Moeâs next task of building a cabinet,
Attention turns to municipal races,
A final look at campaign ad spending, and
Singh will not vote for an election this fall.
Todayâs Top Stories
Mail-in ballots solidify results
The secondary count has flipped Saskatoon Westview.
The second preliminary count of the ballots happened yesterday, with Elections Saskatchewan counting mail-in ballots that were received by October 26.
Elections Saskatchewan said, âWhile some consider an election over after the results come in on the last day of voting, thatâs really never been the case,â says Dr. Michael Boda, Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan. âThere have always been votes that still need to be counted and results that need to be confirmed. Thatâs where the Second Preliminary Count, and then the third and Final Count, come in.â
In the constituency of Saskatoon Willowgrove, the race tightened after mail-in ballots were counted, but incumbent MLA Ken Cheveldayoff appears in the lead and is likely to keep his seat in the legislature. Cheveldayoff is on track to be the only elected representative under the Saskatchewan Party banner in the two largest cities in the province. The Sask. Party also elected Jamie Martens in Martensville-Blairmore, which includes part of Saskatoon.
In the riding of Saskatoon Westview, NDP candidate April ChiefCalf has pulled ahead by just 37 votes after the second preliminary count. ChiefCalf is looking to beat two-term incumbent David Buckingham, who was ahead by 31 votes after the first count. There could be up to 193 additional ballots counted during the final count on November 9, and with 49 rejected ballots this constituency may be eligible for a recount. The NDP has claimed victory in Westview, posting congratulations to CheifCalf.
At the time of publishing, Elections Saskatchewan continues to count mail ballots, but all other results remain the same, including Prince Albert Northcote where Alana Ross holds the riding by 133 votes. The NDP vote share has increased to 40%. A breakdown of the secondary count can be viewed here. The final count will take place on November 9 in Regina.
The final seat count is on track to be 34 seats for the Saskatchewan Party and 27 for the New Democrats. Once a speaker is elected, the governing Sask. Party will operate with a slim 6-seat majority in the legislature.
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Moeâs cabinet expected to welcome new faces and shuffled roles
Saskatchewanâs most recent cabinet.
There is soon expected to be new faces around the cabinet table in Saskatchewan.
The picture above shows the cabinet before the election. Since this photo, Ministers Dustin Duncan, Joe Hargrave, Gordon Wyant, Don McMorris, and Donna Harpauer decided not to seek re-election. Ministers Paul Merriman, Gene Makowsky, Bronwyn Eyre, Christine Tell, and Laura Ross all lost their seats in the most recent election.
That leaves Everett Hindley, Jeremy Harrison, Jeremy Cockrill, Tim McLeod, David Marit, Jim Reiter, and Lori Carr as the only cabinet ministers re-elected to the government. Colleen Young and Terry Jenson were also re-elected and were shuffled into cabinet roles before the writ drop.
If Premier Scott Moe wants the same size cabinet of 18 Ministers including himself, he will need to appoint eight new ministers, nearly half of the cabinet.
The SKoop will bring cabinet updates as we move closer to an announcement ahead of the Speech from the Throne.
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The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce has launched "Fueling Momentum 2024," a policy platform for the 2024 Provincial Election. Based on extensive consultations and research, it outlines key priorities from the Saskatchewan business community to inform all political parties.
Learn more here.
Attention turns to municipal races
A civic voting station in Saskatoon.
The provincial election may be over, but Saskatchewan residents will have the opportunity to go to the polls again in two weeks to participate in civic elections around the province.
Municipal government is important as it is the system of government closest to you. Cities provide services to the community and keep us safe. Municipal turnout is historically low, so make sure you cast your vote.
Saskatoon has five candidates running for Mayor, although the real race appears to be between current councillor Cynthia Block and former MLA Gordon Wyant. There are contested races in eight out of ten Wards. Information on all of the candidates can be viewed here.
Regina has eleven candidates running for Mayor this year. The top contenders include incumbent Sandra Masters, councillor Lori Bresciani, Chad Bachynksi, and Bill Pratt. There are contested races in every Ward. Information on all of the candidates can be viewed here.
Prince Albert has three contenders for Mayor; Incumbent Greg Dionne, Bill Powalinsky, and Marie Smith.
Moose Jaw has five Mayoral candidates this year. Incumbent Clive Tolley will be challenged by Kim Robinson, Crystal Froese, James Murdock, and Mike Simpkins. 24 candidates are running for council. Information on the candidates can be viewed here.
Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk has been acclaimed. There are ten candidates for council and you can learn about them here.
Swift Current Mayor Al Bridal has been acclaimed. There are ten candidates for council and information can be viewed here.
Yorkton has two Mayoral candidates, incumbent Mitch Hippsley and Aaron Keinle. There are ten council candidates and their bios can be viewed here.
North Battleford has three Mayoral candidates with no incumbent running. Wayne Baptiste, Terry Caldwell, and Kelli Hawtin will be on the ballot. There are thirteen candidates for the council. Information on the candidates can be viewed here.
Estevan will elect a new Mayor this year and three candidates have put their names forward; Anthony Sernick, Rebecca Foord, and Zacch Vandenhurk. There are ten candidates for council. Information on these candidates can be found here.
Weyburn has three Mayoral candidates with incumbent Marcel Roy, Jeff Richards, and Bruce Croft. There are eight council candidates and information can be viewed here.
The SKoop will bring you civic election results following the vote on November 13.
A final look at party ad spending to close out campaign
The Saskatchewan Party and NDP spent a lot on social media ads throughout the campaign. We looked at ad spending between October 21 and 27 to see how each party closed out their campaigns.
The Saskatchewan Party spent $29,787 on Facebook and Instagram advertising. The posts and ads were the same as they had been running all campaign, highlighting the partyâs plan for an income tax reduction, and contrast ads with the NDP. The party also advertised where to vote.
Saskatchewan Party ad on social media.
The NDP spent $40,756 on Facebook and Instagram ads. This included individual ads for each candidate, as well as party posts about fixing health care. The party was running over 60 different ads.
CUPE Saskatchewan spent just over $1,000 in the final week, and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour spent just over $500 in the final week.
NDP ad running on social media.
In the final week of the campaign, the Saskatchewan United Party spent nothing on social media advertising.
The parties will now need to complete a financial return. When the returns are published by Elections Saskatchewan, The SKoop will bring you a breakdown of election spending, contributions, and more.
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Singh âwonât play their games,â will not vote for an election this fall
Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.
There will not be a federal election this fall, at least for now.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his caucus will not cave to demands from the Bloc Québécois and Conservative leaders to help them bring down the Liberal government.
On Tuesday Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet said he will make good on his threat to work with opposition parties to topple the minority Liberals with a non-confidence vote The Conservatives and Bloc would also need support from the NDP to make that happen, but Singh says heâs not going to âplay their games.â
Singh, who now holds the power to trigger the next election, says his party is ready for a campaign whenever the time comes, but he reiterates that the NDPâs vote will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Singh is accusing the Bloc of helping the Conservatives, who he says would make cuts to services and programs that people need.
Party volunteers, especially ones who just finished a provincial election, will not need to worry about a snap election this fall and doorknocking in the snow, at least for a few months.
More news and info
Poilievre says it would be 'not fair' for Liberals to replace Trudeau as leader (CTV News)
đ 7 in 10 Saskatchewan voters think housing should be a top priority for elected officials. That is why Saskatchewanâs Housing Leaders have launched Secure Homes, Strong Future â a housing policy blueprint for Saskatchewan ahead of the 2024 provincial election. Built on grassroots consultation and expert insight, this plan provides common sense ideas that will improve affordability, unlock development, lower construction costs and build more homes faster. Click here to learn more.*
Doug Fordâs Tories table pre-election mini-budget that includes $200 rebate cheques (Toronto Star)
Sask. voter turnout rate lingering near 50 per cent 'a problem': Expert (Regina Leader-Post)
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