Saskatchewan CCF/NDP leadership elections explained

This page shows the results of leadership elections in the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (known as the Farmer-Labour Party from 1932 to 1934, and the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation from 1934 to 1967). Prior to 2001, the leader was elected via a delegated convention. Following the resignation of Roy Romanow, the leader was chosen through a One Member One Vote election.

1932 Farmer-Labour Party leadership convention

(Held on July 27, 1932.)

Note: The Farmer-Labour Party was launched as a merger of Coldwell's Independent Labour Party of Saskatchewan and George Williams's United Farmers of Canada (Saskatchewan Section). Williams was nominated as a candidate, but withdrew in favour of Coldwell.

Developments, 1932-1936

In 1933, the Saskatchewan Farmer-Labour Party became the Saskatchewan branch of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation. Coldwell was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in 1935, and Williams was chosen as the Saskatchewan CCF's acting leader on December 16, 1935. Coldwell's resignation from the party leadership was not made official until July 17, 1936.

1936 Cooperative Commonwealth Federation leadership convention

(Held on July 17, 1936.)

Note: Hugh MacLean was also nominated as a candidate, but withdrew.

Developments, 1936-1942

In 1940, Carlyle King challenged George Williams for the presidency of the party (Williams was both party president and leader) but received only about one-third of the vote.[1] [2]

Williams joined the Canadian Forces in early 1941, and subsequently saw overseas action in World War II. On February 12, 1941, John Brockelbank was chosen to lead the party in the legislature. Williams still retained the position of party president until 1941, when Tommy Douglas successfully challenged Williams for the party presidency. The next year, Douglas also unseated Williams as party leader.[3]

1942 Cooperative Commonwealth Federation leadership convention

(Held on July 17, 1942.)

Note: The vote totals were not announced. There are conflicting reports as to whether or not Brockelbank withdrew before voting began.

1943 Cooperative Commonwealth Federation leadership challenge

(Held on July 16, 1943.)

Note: The vote totals were not announced. Valleau was again a candidate, but withdrew before balloting; Douglas won in landslide.

1961 Cooperative Commonwealth Federation leadership convention

(Held on November 3, 1961.)

1970 New Democratic Party leadership convention

(Held on July 4, 1970.)

First ballot:

Second ballot:

Third ballot:

1987 New Democratic Party leadership convention

(Held on November 7, 1987.)

2001 New Democratic Party leadership convention

(Held on January 27, 2001.)

First ballot:

(Crofford and Belanger eliminated at under 5%)

Second ballot:

(Banda eliminated, Sonntag withdraws)

Third ballot:

(Wiebe eliminated)

Fourth ballot:

2009 New Democratic Party leadership convention

A leadership convention was held on June 5–7, 2009. The vote for leader took place on June 6, 2009 and all 13051 members of the Saskatchewan NDP were eligible to cast ballots in person, by mail, by phone or online. There was a $200,000 spending limit for candidates.[4] [5]

There were four declared candidates for the leadership: MLA Deb Higgins, former Deputy Premier Dwain Lingenfelter, physician and community health activist Ryan Meili, and former party president Yens Pedersen.[6]

First ballot

(Higgins eliminated, Pedersen withdrew)[7]

Second ballot

Total votes cast: 9,130[8]

2013 New Democratic Party leadership convention

(held on March 9, 2013)

See main article: 2013 Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leadership election. A leadership convention was called following the resignation of Dwain Lingenfelter after losing his seat in the 2011 general election.

The candidates were:Cam Broten, MLA for Saskatoon Massey Place;[9] Ryan Meili, doctor, author and community advocate;[10] Trent Wotherspoon, MLA, Regina Rosemont.[11] A fourth candidate, economist Erin Weir[12] withdrew prior to the convention and endorsed Meili.

First ballot

(Weir withdrew February 20 to support Meili, too late to be removed from the mail ballot; Wotherspoon withdraws following the first ballot without endorsing a candidate.)

Second ballot

2018 New Democratic Party leadership convention

See main article: 2018 Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leadership election. An election for the leadership of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party was held on March 3, 2018 in Regina, as a result of the resignation of leader Cam Broten after leading the party to its third consecutive general election loss and losing own his seat in the legislature. There were two declared candidates: Saskatoon physician and past leadership candidate Ryan Meili and Regina-Rosemont MLA since 2007 Trent Wotherspoon. Ryan Meili was elected leader with 55% of the popular vote.

Results

Turnout: 81%[13] [14]

2022 New Democratic Party leadership convention

See main article: 2022 Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leadership election. An election for the leadership of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party was held on June 26, 2022 in Regina following the resignation of Ryan Meili.[15] Carla Beck was declared as the first elected female leader of the party at this convention.[16]

Results

Turnout: 65%[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan Details. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090207124000/http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/king_carlyle_1907-88.html . 2009-02-07 .
  2. Book: Saskatchewan Premiers of the Twentieth Century. 9780889771642. Barnhart. Gordon. 2004.
  3. Book: Saskatchewan Politicians: Lives Past and Present. 9780889771659. 2004.
  4. http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/third_page/story.html?id=71f1c44f-248b-4f97-9e15-6ee6b1b6ea12 NDP council sets leadership contest rules
  5. http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iCEIaT74Rutqt2mn4ddSaHqDHvSg "Former Saskatchewan premier steps down as leader of NDP"
  6. http://www.saskndp.com/leadership NDP council sets leadership contest rules
  7. http://mjtimes.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=258360&sc=3 The Moose Jaw Times Herald - Moose Jaw
  8. http://saskndp.ca/convention/index.php?Convention_Voting 2009 Saskatchewan NDP Convention - Convention Voting
  9. News: 1st candidate declares in Sask. NDP leadership race . CBC News . September 5, 2012 . September 11, 2012.
  10. News: Meili Declares candidacy for Sask. NDP leadership race . Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. September 12, 2012 . December 19, 2012.
  11. News: Wotherspoon, Meili declare candidacy . Regina Leader-Post. September 15, 2012 . December 19, 2012.
  12. News: Weir joins race to lead Saskatchewan NDP . CBC News . September 7, 2012 . September 11, 2012.
  13. Ryan Meili chosen Saskatchewan NDP leader on 3rd tryhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-ndp-leadership-ryan-meili-trent-wotherspoon-1.4560240
  14. Web site: Saskatchewan NDP choose Ryan Meili as party’s new leader - The Globe and Mail.
  15. News: Sask. NDP Leader Ryan Meili stepping down, will remain as leader until party chooses a successor. February 28, 2022. CBC News. February 18, 2022.
  16. Web site: Carla Beck wins Sask. NDP leadership; first woman elected as leader Watch News Videos Online . 2022-06-30 . Global News . en-US.
  17. News: Ellis . Brendan . 2022-06-26 . Sask. NDP elects Carla Beck as first female leader of party . CTV News . 2023-08-15.