Buffalo Narrows mayor Sandra Ericson would like to see more progress in her community in the coming years. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

major change

‘Our region has spoken’: Northern mayors optimistic after Sask. Party wins Athabasca byelection

Feb 16, 2022 | 5:02 PM

Northern mayors are hopeful new Athabasca Saskatchewan Party MLA Jim Lemaigre could bring long sought-after changes to the region.

Lemaigre won Tuesday’s byelection with 1,146 votes. The New Democratic Party’s Georgina Jolibois placed second with 900 and independent Darwin Roy took third with 157.

Since 1975, the NDP held on to the riding with the exception of 1995 to 1998, when Buckley Belanger served as a Liberal before leaving the party for the New Democrats.

“I was excited. I’ve always been an NDP supporter,” Buffalo Narrows Mayor Sandra Ericson said about the moment she learned of the byelection results. “I think our region has spoken and said that they want change and change to me is usually good.”

Ericson explained there are only a couple more years until the next general election, noting she would be impressed and happy if she sees some steps forward in the northwest. She said since the byelection was called, residents had told her they were ready for change as people are tired of seeing a lack of progress.

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“People decided to be on the party in the power to see what it was like as opposed to the opposing party,” Ericson said. “We still have a lot of our beliefs and stuff like that that align with the NDP. I think it was people seeing if having an MLA that is with the sitting government would make a difference in how the North receives services.”

She mentioned Buffalo Narrows, a community of approximately 1,014 residents, hasn’t seen much in recent years when it comes to new growth, infrastructure and jobs. She would like to see that changed with Athabasca changing from orange to green.

The sudden switch in power didn’t surprise Beauval mayor Nick Daigneault, who believes many local residents stopped supporting the NPD in favour of Darwin Roy. Moving forward, he hopes the Sask. Party sees Athabasca as a partner and not as opposition because the riding voted NDP for so long.

“I kind of felt there was change in the wind,” Daigneault said. “We were fortunate to be able to work with MLAs such as Buckley through the NDP party back when they were in power and when they were the official opposition, so it’s a good opportunity now to … work with our now elected MLA and see if we can foster some of these changes we as mayors have been working towards.”

Beauval is a community of approximately 685 residents. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

He also doesn’t see losing Athabasca as a huge blow to the NDP, noting it is possible for the party to regain the seat in the next election. Daigneault added, however, it should be a time of self-reflection for the NDP as it can’t be business as usual.

“We live in modern times,” he said. “There has to be more behind just retaining a seat and taking issues to Regina. There has to be more involvement. I look forward for the opportunity to work with the new MLA and hopefully see some change in the northwest.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno