March 11, 2024 | Advertise with us

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Here’s The SKoop for today:

• The province and Saskatchewan School Board Association (SSBA) announced a surprise multi-year education funding agreement;

• James Thorsteinson officially becomes a candidate tonight; and

• Constituency Profile: Kelvington-Wadena!

P.S. Please share The SKoop with your networks. At the bottom of this email you will see a new referral section - share The SKoop and gain points towards winning prizes like gift cards and a pair of AirPods. Thanks!

Government and School Boards Announce Multi-Year Funding Agreement

The Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan School Board Association announced a surprise multi-year deal on education funding on Friday morning. The agreement guarantees a $356 million base amount of long-term funding to school divisions that are specific for classroom support.

"This agreement provides a written guarantee, signed by the government, for long-term funding for classroom supports - funding that will address important issues like classroom size and complexity," Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "Now that our government has made this unprecedented commitment in a signed agreement, it's time for the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation to end their job action and return to the bargaining table so that students and teachers can return to the classroom." 

The Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation said they would not return to the bargaining table unless the government commits to putting the signed agreement with the SSBA in the collective agreement. The union also said that, despite the new funding announcement, previously planned job sanctions will continue this week.

(CBC News)

Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association

Former Saskatchewan Party President becomes candidate tonight

James Thorsteinson will be acclaimed as the Saskatchewan Party candidate for Cut Knife-Turtleford tonight. Thorsteinson previously served as the Saskatchewan Party President. He originally planned to contest the Lloydminster constituency against longtime MLA Colleen Young but opted for Cut Knife Turtleford following the removal of Ryan Domotor as a candidate in that constituency. Thorsteinson will be the 40th candidate nominated by the party ahead of the 2024 provincial election.

The Saskatchewan Party will next nominate a new candidate in Regina Northeast on Thursday. The NDP will nominate their candidate for Batoche on March 17th. For all candidates to date see the updated Election Candidate Tracker at the bottom of this newsletter.

Sponsored by Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan

Constituency Profile: Kelvington-Wadena

Each week leading up to the 2024 election, The SKoop Political Briefing will highlight a constituency that has nominated a candidate from at least both major parties. Today, we look at Kelvington-Wadena.

The incumbent: Hugh Nerlien was first elected in 2016 with just under 70% of the vote and re-elected in 2020 with the same margin. Born in Kelvington, Nerlien was a business owner and community volunteer. He has served on various government committees.

The challenger: Lorne Schroeder is the NDP candidate for the region. Schroeder is a mixed farmer and Reeve from LeRoy, he also served as a school board chair.

The takeaway: Kelvington-Wadena remains a safe seat for the Saskatchewan Party. Saskatchewan Party founding MLA June Draude represented this riding for 20 years before retiring in 2016. The NDP will look to crack 20% of the vote, something they haven’t done since 2007.

Sponsored by Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy

More news and info

• Carbon tax fight, teachers’ strike, and travel costs mark busy week in Sask. Politics (CBC Saskatchewan)

• Register now for the Saskatchewan Public Affairs Forum on April 9th in Regina, hosted by the Saskatchewan chapter of Public Affairs Association of Canada!*

• What happens when a provincial government defies a federal law? We're about to find out (CBC News)

• Alberta coal mine moves ahead without permits federal officials say are needed (Canadian Press)

• Do voters see a difference between the political parties? (David Coletto Substack)

_{*Sponsored content from Public Affairs Association of Canada - Saskatchewan Chapter.}

2024 Election Candidate Tracker