By Brent Bosker

NDP breakthrough possible in Saskatchewan

Apr 29, 2011 | 6:40 AM

When the dust settles on Tuesday, the political landscape in Saskatchewan could look a little different.

The recent surge in support for Jack Layton’s New Democrats may translate into seats for the party in Saskatchewan, according to Joe Garcia, with the political science department at the University of Saskatchewan.

However, Garcia said it’s unlikely the democrats will break through in the Prince Albert riding, which has gone to a right-wing party since 1997 and is currently held by the Conservative’s Randy Hoback.

“This surge by the NDP might be able to make that constituency a little bit tighter than it has been in the past. Whether the NDP could … win it, is a remote possibility,” said Garcia.

Valerie Mushinski is running under the NDP flag for a third straight election. Garcia said the key for her campaign and fellow NDP candidates in Saskatchewan is keeping the momentum going in the final few days.

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The Tory incumbent in the Battlefords-Lloydminster riding attempted to disrupt the NDP’s recent upswing this week by questioning how the party would pay for its socialistic programs. Gerry Ritz said he believes a Layton government would implement a cap-and-trade system that would transfer natural resource revenue out of western Canada.

The NDP called it an act of desperation.

The races to really watch are Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar and the Palliser riding, said Garcia who added both present the best opportunity for the NDP to end their drought in Saskatchewan.

Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar has been the stage for some exciting races between the Conservatives and NDP in recent elections. The most recent was in 2008 when the Conservative’s Kelly Block escaped with a narrow victory over NDP’s Nettie Wiebe, who also came in a close second in the 2006 vote.

Palliser has also been a two-horse race between the Conservatives and NDP with the new democrats last holding that seat in 2000.

“It’s any one’s guess right now,” said Garcia.

Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River will also be an interesting race to watch, he said.

“We’ve seen that riding swing a few times.”

Conservative Rob Clarke has held the riding since winning a by election in 2008, prior to that the riding has flipped back and forth between the Conservatives and Liberals.

The NDP candidate, Lawrence Joseph is viewed as the leading contender to oust Clarke in this election.

bbosker@panow.com