Sask. NDP announces shadow cabinet as it prepares for spring session

Ahead of the spring session of the legislature starting next month, the NDP caucus has announced its shadow cabinet.
 
With a team of just 10, the MLAs have multiple portfolios.
 
Newly-elected Opposition leader Trent Wotherspoon calls them an exceptional bunch.
 
“The team is strong and diverse that has a strong background in respective fields and we are going to be a team leaders and I am excited about working with new members and returning members,” he told reporters at the legislature Thursday.
 
Wotherspoon is taking on some of the work taking on youth and the economy files.
 
With what is expected to be a bad new budget on June 1, Saskatoon MLA Cathy Sproule takes on one of the biggest portfolios, finance.
 
“She’s going to be strong in holding this government to account, in making sure the choices they are making are in the best interests of Saskatchewan people,” Wotherspoon maintained.
 
Another big file is education, which is now in the hands of rookie Regina MLA Carla Beck.
 
“Carla Beck is no rookie. She’s certainly a brand-new MLA, but she’s been an elected school board member, very active in her community, knows education very well,” Wotherspoon said.
 
Buckley Belanger, the now-longest-serving First Nation MLA in the Saskatchewan legislature, becomes deputy leader. Belanger ran for the NDP leadership in 2001.
 
Veterans David Forbes and Warren McCall remain in their positions.
 
This time the NDP has no one critic for the Crowns instead breaking it up by individual Crowns.

CRITIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Trent Wotherspoon: Leader of the official Opposition and critic for executive council and office of the premier, intergovernmental affairs, the economy, and youth.

Buckley Belanger: Deputy leader and critic for First Nations and Métis relations, Highways and Infrastructure, Energy and Resources, and the Global Transportation Hub.

Carla Beck: Deputy whip and critic for Education, early learning and child care, Crown Investments Corporation, Saskatchewan Government Insurance, and SaskEnergy.

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Danielle Chartier: Public accounts and critic for Health, seniors, and Sask Builds.

David Forbes: Caucus chair and critic for labour relations and workplace safety, diversity, equality, and human rights; housing, the Workers’ Compensation Board, and associate critic for Education.

Warren McCall: House leader and critic for Advanced Education, jobs, skills, and training; trade, Tourism Saskatchewan, innovation, central services, SaskTel, Parks, Culture, and Sport; the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation, the Public Service Commission, the Provincial Capital Commission, and associate critic for First Nations and Métis relations.

Nicole Rancourt: Critic for Social Services, community-based organizations, forestry, municipal relations, and PDAP.

Nicole Sarauer: Deputy house leader and critic for Justice, Corrections and Policing, women, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, and Immigration.

Cathy Sproule: Deputy caucus chair and critic for Finance, the Environment, Agriculture, SaskPower, the Water Security Agency, SaskWater, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, Francophone affairs, and the provincial secretary.

Doyle Vermette: Whip and critic for Northern Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Transportation Corporation, and associate critic for First Nations and Métis Relations.