Doug Racine addresses the NDP faithful crowd at Nordale Hall. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Elections

Lawyer and veteran joins NDP in Sask. Rivers election race

Jul 25, 2024 | 2:00 PM

The election race this fall in the Sask. Rivers constituency is already being touted as one of the more interesting races to watch, and the NDP has now added their own piece to the board.

Doug Racine was nominated on Wednesday by local Saskatchewan New Democrat members. Racine served 12 years in the military, including a peacekeeping tour. He then completed a law degree and practiced law for 25 years. He is the founder of Aboriginal Law Group and he and his wife Cindy reside in Saskatchewan Rivers. Racine acknowledged for paNOW he has a tremendous amount of responsibility.

“Now moving forward and getting out there and really bringing this victory home. So I’ve got a lot of work to do, you know. The responsibility is overwhelming but I’m gonna rise to the occasion and I’m gonna get it done”

In 2020, the Sask Party, whose candidate at the time was Nadine Wilson, won with over 4,400 votes. The NDP came second with 1,839 votes. Four years later, the political picture in this constituency has changed a lot with Nadine Wilson now running for the Sask United Party.

On countless occasions Wednesday night, the word split was used to describe the anticipated split of the vote between Wilson and the Sask Party’s new candidate Eric Schmalz. When asked to comment on the NDP’s strategy and where he sees himself in the race, Racine said voters should not rest on the suggestion of any fixed outcome.

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‘We have to do a lot of hard work and we’ve got to get out there and make sure that people in Sask Rivers understand that we’re listening and we are going to come forward with legislation and policies that will make their lives easier,” he said.

Racine and his wife listen attentively to the speakers. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

During his remarks to the crowd, Racine discussed concerns related to education spending, gaps in health care and the inflated costs of living.

“People are ready to bite the bullet and live a difficult life, but what they’re not ready for is the fact they are not being listened to. It’s the disrespect that’s really getting voters to say we are voting NDP and they’ve never voted NDP,” he said.

Racine also noted the importance and role of the multiple first nations communities in the constituency. When asked why he would be a good person to represent their interests in Regina, Racine noted how his law office was on the Muskeg Lake Muskeg Lake Urban Reserve in Saskatoon and for the past 25 years 95 per cent of his clients have been First Nations or Metis.

“I’ve really come to understand a lot of their issues but I will say this, the most important thing is to be out there and listening to the first nations people and seeing what their needs are and not to second guess or to think that I know better than them,” he said.

Racine said he plans on spending the next month canvassing on reserves and listening to the bhiefs and council.

“I am so glad to have an experienced leader like Doug as our candidate here in Saskatchewan Rivers,” said Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck saids in a statement “With his experience, I know that Doug is a fighter and will stand up for the people of Saskatchewan Rivers and bring a strong voice for rural Saskatchewan at the legislature in Regina.”

The provincial election has been scheduled for Oct. 28.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell