Premier shouldn't wait until 2020 to call election: Sask. NDP leader

The SaskatchewanParty does not have a mandate to lead the province, and Premier Scott Moe should call an election sooner than 2020, according to thenew leader of theNDPOpposition.

"I don't think we've got a government that has a mandate, nor really the trust of the people," said Ryan Meili, as he talked to reporters at a Canadian Union of Public Employees conference in Saskatoon on Friday. "An opportunity to go to the polls would be very wise."

Moe ran for and wonhis party's leadershipin Januaryand winningmeant he would automatically become premier but onlySaskatchewan Party members had a chance to vote for him, said Meili.

In the end. just over 8,000 members supported Moe.

"This is a few thousand people out of the million-plus that we are made this choice and I think it would be wise if we had an election sooner," Meilisaid.

"Stop the damage that's happening and give people the chance to make the clear choice."

Meiliand his caucus colleagueVicki Mowat both won their seats in byelectionsin Saskatoon last year. But three more byelections held this March saw the Sask. Party easily held on to its rural seats in Swift Current, Kindersley and Melfort.

The province will see at least one morebyelection, as the Sask. Party's Kevin Doherty has announced his resignation as MLA for Regina Northeast.

Saskatoon Eastview MLA and former Speaker Corey TochororRegina Walsh Acres MLA Warren Steinley may also step down, as both are seeking Conservative Party of Canada nominations.

But Moe rejected the idea of calling a general election, saying the Sask. Party has a strong mandate to govern, and he's capable of offering what the province needs.

"We have always said that there'd be a set election date every four years," he said, noting that next election date is only to take place in the fall of 2020.

"I see no reason to put forward $20 or $25 million for a general election prior to that date."

The province's chief electoral officer has stated that the current election date, Nov. 2, 2020, could be problematic.

That's because the campaign period overlaps with municipal elections.Chief Electoral Officer Michael Bodasays a possible solution is to move the election date to April, 2021.