Residents in the Battlefords were largely unsurprised by the win for Scott Moe and the Sask. Party in the Provincial Election, though some expected a tighter race. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Election reaction

Mixture of reaction in the Battlefords, following election results

Oct 28, 2020 | 5:07 PM

It’s been a short while since the Saskatchewan Party’s landslide victory over the New Democratic Party Monday night, but there’s a mixture of responses to the results.

In a non-scientific poll by battlefordsNOW, 63 per cent of participants said ‘yes’ to being surprised by how decisive the Sask. Party’s victory was.

For the Battlefords constituency the Sask. Party gained 4,140 votes compared to 1,701 for the NDP. In the Cut Knife-Turtleford constituency, the Sask. Party won its seat with 5,436 votes compared to the 954 votes cast for the NDP. It was a surprise showing for the Buffalo Party of Canada candidate, who received 562 votes in the region.

While mail-in ballots are still being counted across the province, the Sask. Party holds 50 seats compared to the NDP’s 11.

Len Taylor, former MLA for the Battlefords and incumbent city council candidate, said he wasn’t completely surprised by the winner, but expected the results to be a lot closer. There were plenty of local issues that reoccurred this election cycle, he said, specifically citing the urban connector program, urban roads, support for libraries. Regarding funding issues, Taylor pointed to the change in funding grants in lieu to municipalities.

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“People know that. They talk to me about it and I just thought it would be more represented in the votes,” Taylor said.

Taylor said New Democrats will have to keep their nose to the grindstone and ears to the ground, addressing issues that people are concerned with, in order to move forward.

“I think that’s one of the things that the NDP did a lot in the past. People appreciated it,” he said. “They’ve just kind of lost a little bit of that focus.”

However, many residents and community members weren’t surprised at all by the election results. Incumbent Town of Battleford council candidate Kevin Russell said all of the discussion he’d heard throughout the past month pointed to the Sask. Party maintaining those seats.

“In all honesty, it couldn’t have come as a shock to people,” he said. “And I’m not speaking from a bias, it was just a commonality of the people I talked to.”

Russell said the municipal election should pick up momentum this week, both from local discussion and the efforts of candidates. Despite the high turnout for advance polls and the record number of mail-in ballots, there were still people voting on election night.

“I believe everyone’s minds were focused on the provincial election and what was going to happen [as a result],” he said.

Linda Machniak, Battlefords Chamber of Commerce COO, said members of both the local and provincial chambers weren’t surprised by the outcome either.

“I think everyone saw trends and polls that were leading that way” she said. “[Both] the commentary from people generally and on news sites.”

Machniak said potential undecided voters could have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a change in government possibly seen as more of a risk during uncertain times.

“I read an article the other day where people talked about not wanting to rock the boat during a pandemic,” she said. “Given the condensed campaign at only 28 days, it certainly had people making a decision quickly on how they were going to move [with their vote].”

As far as the implications the results could have on chambers across the province, Machniak said most of the campaign promises from both sides were people oriented, instead of on businesses. However, a few policy decisions that were discussed could provide a benefit to business owners, such as the Sask. Power reductions of 10 per cent from power bills.

“They also discussed a lower business tax rate to encourage businesses and help support them through the pandemic,” she said. “So, that’s a positive for sure.”

Another positive for Machniak is discussions on financial literacy, something the chamber has been talking about for years, recognizing there is a challenge for young people in entering the workforce without a proper understanding of their finances.

“Those steps are all positive things I think and we’ll keep seeing them move forward,” she said.

One key business issue not talked about, at least not in-depth, that Machnaik said she hopes is addressed more clearly is supply chain resiliency and what effect further lockdowns would have on the province.

“If there’s a second wave, what are the manufacturing and transportations industries going to look like in ensuring those supply chains remain robust for consumers?” Machniak said.

Looking at future elections, the main question is whether the NDP can extend its support beyond urban areas, which the Sask. Party continues to have a hold on. Further discussion could come regarding Ryan Meili’s leadership, as he awaits the final count on his Saskatoon riding’s close race.

“If he loses his seat, it would be the third leader to go down in his riding,” Machniak said. “So, there’s certainly be questions, things they have to review. If they can find a way to connect to rural voters, then that may have some impact.”

However, Machniak said there’s also work for the victors. Having the emergence of the Buffalo Party, which finished second in several ridings, will present an interesting possibility of multiple challengers for the Sask. Party if they are not able to govern to the satisfaction of voters for the next four years.

“There’s some review and soul searching to do across the province,” she said.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports