An appearance by 10 NDP MLA's at the SARM convention opening is only the beginning.
That's according to party leader Dwain Lingenfelter. He was in attendance as the gathering of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities opened in Regina Tuesday, with 10 other elected members in tow. They were present for the opening speeches, including that of SARM President David Marit.
Speaking to reporters after that address Marit acknowledged their presence, insisting he was glad they're paying attention to the issues facing rural residents. But he didn't stop there when pressed by reporters.
"For many years when the NDP were in government rural Saskatchewan was represented in the opposition by the Saskatchewan Party and now they're in government. Our members are feeling pretty good that they're in government," he stressed. "Our members are in rural Saskatchewan and now their members are sitting on the government side. I'd have to say yes, they probably do feel a lot better that way and they feel that their voice carries a little bit of weight now. Hopefully it does."
Lingenfelter doesn't take exceptions to Marit's comments, saying its up to individuals to speak for themselves.
"The union leader might reflect part of the union but they don't reflect everybody," he insists. "So these are the kind of situations that occur in politics. Rural Saskatchewan is not a great deal different than urban constituencies; people worry about their livelihood, about health care, about cost of living, about whether the finances of the province are being managed properly."
But he admits work needs to be done to ensure the party's platform in the next election is relevant to farm families.
"We haven't had close enough understanding about what the needs are of the families in rural Saskatchewan so that it's reflected in our policies and platform the last couple of elections. And I intend to correct that."
