The Saskatchewan Party was recognized as the legislature’s official opposition last week, relegating the Liberals to third party status.
Speaker Glenn Hagel said the new party has more MLAs (eight) than the Liberals (six) and therefore qualifies for the position.
He outlined for reporters the parliamentary precedents used in making the decision. He also said there is no law requiring the official opposition to be a registered political party.
The Saskatchewan Party was formed Aug. 8 when Liberal MLAs Ken Krawetz (Canora-Pelly), Bob Bjornerud (Saltcoats), June Draude (Kelvington-Wadena) and Rod Gantefoer (Melfort-Tisdale) left their caucus to join four former Tory MLAs: Bill Boyd (Kindersley), Dan D’Autremont (Cannington), Don Toth (Moosomin) and Ben Heppner (Rosthern).
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Another Liberal, Arlene Jule, who represents Humboldt, announced at the same time that she would sit as an Independent Liberal. A fifth Tory, Jack Goohsen of Cypress Hills, will also sit as an Independent. He was not asked to join the new party.
Go along with ruling
Liberal leader Jim Melenchuk said he will respect Hagel’s decision.
“This isn’t a bad day,” he said. “Two weeks ago was much, much worse.”
The Liberal party will lose funding, and likely some staff members, as a result of the decision. Melville MLA Ron Osika, who led the Liberals after they ousted Lynda Haverstock in 1995, will again become interim leader since Melenchuk does not have a seat in the house.
Krawetz will be interim leader of the Saskatchewan Party. He said the party’s steering committee is preparing for a policy and founding convention in November and a leadership contest early next year.
“If the traditional sitting of the house occurs in early 1998, there will be platform and there will be policy that will be developed by the members of the party,” he said.
Government house leader Janice MacKinnon said the NDP doesn’t expect much difference between the last legislative session and the next one.
“There’s been some musical chairs and some realignment, but we expect there will be lively debate the same as there has always been,” she said.
