Working to the election, NDP’s Carla Beck looks back and ahead

Taking stock of 2023, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck hones in on the byelections that were held in the Regina area in the summer.

The NDP walked away with two new seats out of the three byelections, something Beck says was a highlight for her in the year — though she also says she would have liked to have had all three of them.

Beck also talks about getting out on the road in Saskatchewan and talking to people across the province as a highlight of the year.

“The values that I often talk about, the values that I grew up with – looking out for your neighbour and just finding a way to get things done – they’re still out there in every every corner of this province,” said Beck.

“And the number of people who not only were telling us that they were ready for change but people putting up their hand and saying, ‘You know, we want to be part of that change, we want to build with you, and deliver on the promise that we see in this province,’ that’s been incredibly encouraging.”

The NDP leader also praised the work of her MLAs in 2023, saying they’ve shown the province they’re smart, dedicated people who’re in politics for the right reasons.

On the other side of the coin, Beck said one of the lowlights for 2023 was the kind of divisive politics they had to deal with at the Legislature.

“I think that the people are tired of that divisive, disagreement for disagreement’s sake style of politics — American-style politics, if you will,” said Beck.

She didn’t think that kind of politics really served the people. In that vein, Beck talked about the rhetoric and heated discussions, and some name-calling that happened over Israel’s war in Gaza.
“As leaders, we have an opportunity to either increase the division and enflame what is already a very emotionally charged situation, or we have the opportunity to, again, look for that common ground to try to foster a sense of understanding, to broaden knowledge, to broaden empathy,” said Beck.

A protest broke out at the Legislature one day in the fall by pro-Palestinian supporters which shut down proceedings for a bit.

The Saskatchewan Party accused the NDP of helping to organize the protest (https://www.cjme.com/2023/11/24/premier-concerned-with-antisemitic-actions-in-legislative-building/) and, after one NDP MLA liked a video on social media, Government House Leader Jeremy Harrison began using words like “riot” and “antisemitism.”

“What we saw from the government house leader, from Mr. Harrison in the house, choosing to use inflammatory language and make outrageous accusations was not responsible, and something that I’ve heard from a lot of people, they expect better of of their leaders,” said Beck.

There were a few points the Sask. Party and NDP worked together in 2023. In the fall sitting, the NDP brought a motion on the federal government’s carveouts for home heating oil, and the Sask. Party voted for the motion.

“I think (the carveout) struck against that value of fairness that Canadians have and certainly did not strike me or did not strike us as fair,” Beck explained.

“This was a measure that simply made sense. And I think people do expect that from their leaders when there is an issue that is so clearly in the interest of people of this province, I think people expect all leaders to put aside any political differences and put that forward, and that’s what we did.”

For the new year, Beck has her eyes fixed on the provincial election expected to happen near the end of October.

She said her hope for the year is to have an NDP government in Saskatchewan for the first time in nearly two decades.

“Hope is important (and) belief is important but again, I also understand that the hard work that is going to get us to that goal is incredibly important and that’s what we’ll be focusing on in the next year,” said Beck.

The NDP has gained momentum and grew in 2023, said Beck, and she hopes to be able to keep that going in the new year. She said part of politics is timing and people are getting sick of the Sask. Party government.

“We are not building to be a stronger opposition, we are serious about forming government in 2024. We believe it, and more and more people in this province believe that it could happen, and I think that’s powerful,” said Beck.

The NDP leader said she fears what could happen to the province in 2024 if it continues with the current government which, she said, is focused on distraction and division instead of finding solutions.