Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall congratulated Alberta premier-elect Rachel Notley last week and gave his own take on the NDP majority government elected May 5.
“You can’t take away anything from a campaign that goes from just a handful of seats to a very sizable majority and so we congratulate her on that,” said Wall.
“It’s very important to never take anything for granted, whether you’re a 44-year government or an eight-year government or a four-year government.
The lesson in Alberta for all parties is big turnarounds can happen in short order on either side of that equation, and I think that’s a message that I think resonates here in Saskatchewan.”
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Wall’s Saskatchewan Party government is now sandwiched between two NDP-governed provinces.
“We’re hoping the NDP government in Alberta (will) continue with the New West Partnership,” said Wall.
That agreement standardizes various regulations, such as those relating to transportation.
Wall said Saskatchewan has one strong alternative to the NDP, but Albertans split the vote outside Edmonton.
The NDP received 33 percent of the vote in Calgary and rural areas but 35 seats, he said.
“Why? Because there was almost a perfect split between the Wild-rose and the Progressive Conservatives. Think about Saskatchewan. That’s what happened here for years.”
The dramatic shift from a Progressive Conservative to an NDP government in Alberta provoked many quips in social media about a mass exodus of conservative-minded residents to Saskatchewan.
Wall said everyone is welcome and it takes just a quick pledge of allegiance to Rider Nation, a reference to the iconic Saskatchewan Rough-riders fan base.
Saskatchewan NDP leader Cam Broten extended his congratulations to Notley as well.
“I want to extend my sincere congratulations to premier-elect Notley for running a campaign that stayed focused on what matters to Alberta families today,” Broten said in a statement.
“She’s entering the premier’s office at a critical time, and I’m confident she’s ready to meet head on the challenges her new job presents. I have no doubt that she will be a strong voice for Albertans and western Canadians and I look forward to working with her in the months and years ahead to advance the interests of Alberta and Saskatchewan.”
