'Spicy grandma' among new projected NDP MLAs excited to tackle health care, education

The Saskatchewan Party is going back to the legislature with yet another majority. And while the Saskatchewan NDP fell short of returning to power for the first time since 2007, it is projected to make significant gains, with only mail-in ballots left to count.

The NDP is projected to have won 22 seats and is leading in four others still too close to call. This represents a substantial gain for leader Carla Beck's party, which won 13 seats in the 2020 election.

Those gains included several battlegrounds like Regina Northeast, Regina Pasqua, Saskatoon Stonebridge and Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood, where electoral boundary redistribution since 2020 narrowed the Sask. Party's margins of victory.

Saskatchewan's rural-urban divide persisted at the ballot boxes, with the NDP projected to win 11 of Regina's 12 ridings and leading the other, and projected to win or leading in all but two seats in Saskatoon.

CBC spoke with some of the NDP candidates projected to become new MLAs. They said they're eager to get to work on health care and education in particular.

NDP candidate Joan Pratchler, a registered nurse and former teacher and principal, is the projected winner of Regina Rochdale. That seat formerly belonged to Sask. Party candidate and sitting cabinet minister Laura Ross.

On Monday, Pratchler said her professional background helped her on the campaign trail. She said many people whose doors she knocked on said they hadn't seen their former representative for a long time.

"One of the most trusted professions is nursing and the next one is principal," Pratchler said, adding that Rochdale is filled with educators who were not impressed with the Sask. Party's handling of teachers' and students' needs.

Pratchler said people in her constituency believe she can make a difference in the legislature because she has front-line experience.

"From bedside to board table, from classroom to boardroom, I understand what the issues are and now I can stand up for them. And that's what you need in a spicy grandma there," Pratchler said, laughing.

WATCH | 'Spicy grandma' Joan Pratchler, projected Sask. NDP MLA-elect, talks about Opposition's plans:

'Spicy grandma' Joan Pratchler, projected Sask. NDP MLA-elect, talks about Opposition's plans

16 hours ago

Duration 0:59

The Sask. NDP's Joan Pratchler, the self-proclaimed 'spicy grandma' projected to unseat former Sask. Party minister Laura Ross in the Regina Rochdale constituency, talks about what her party plans to do in Opposition and what she has heard from people in her riding.

'You have to listen'

Keith Jorgenson is the projected winner of the Churchill-Wildwood constituency in Saskatoon, unseating long-timeSask. Party incumbent Lisa Lambert. He has worked as an educator and administrator, helping children with complex needs.

Jorgenson said people are excited to see growth of theNDP in Saskatchewan. He called that growth "tremendous."

"There's a desire on my part and [on the] part of a lot of other people who haverun for the NDP to try and make their province and their community a better place to live," said Jorgenson.

"This is an opportunity to better our community, get us out of last place in health care and education, and address some of the other problems the province faces."

First time candidate Sally Housser, a political commentator and public affairs professional, is projected to beat out incumbent Gene Makowsky for the Regina University constituency. She said beating the former minister of social services shows that no political party owns the vote of the people of Saskatchewan.

"You have to connect, you have to serve, you have to listen. And I think ultimately that that's what people felt wasn't happening with the Sask. Party," Housser said.

The NDP is projected to get its largest share of the popular vote since 2003.Houssersaidthis sends a message to the Sask. Party.

"When you have a massive shift in the popular vote as they've seen, it's time to do some more listening. I imagine that they were probably thinking about that perhaps a little too late over the course of the campaign," said Housser.

"But when you represent Saskatchewan, you have to represent all of Saskatchewan."

Housser said the NDP focused on this messaging throughout the campaign.

Moe says he hears non-Sask. Party voters

In her end-of-night speech, Beck had a message for newNDP MLAs.

"Never forget how incredibly special it is for your neighbours to select you to be their representative," she said.

"We know that Saskatchewan is looking to us to deliver that better change."

Matt Love, incumbent and projected winner for the Saskatoon Eastview constituency, said there is a lot of positive energy among the NDP and supporters as they watch their representation in the legislature nearly double.

"It's gonna be a very different place when 61 of us get back to work, where there's gonna be a lot more balance," Love said.

In his victory speech, newly elected Premier Scott Moe acknowledged that the Sask. Party lost many voters this election.

"I thank those that supported or voted for another party this election for the message that was delivered tonight. I have heard that message, and our team has heard that message. And we must do better, and we most certainly will."