1999 Saskatchewan general election

The 1999 Saskatchewan general election was held on September 16, 1999 to elect members of the 24th Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. The new Saskatchewan Party took more votes than any other party but the NDP took more seats, taking half the seats in the Saskatchewan Legislature. The NDP formed a coalition with five elected Liberal Party MLAs to hold majority government.

1999 Saskatchewan general election
September 16, 1999 (1999-09-16)
58 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
30 seats needed for a majority
Turnout65.5% [1] (Increase0.9pp)
  First party Second party Third party
 
SK
LIB
Leader Roy Romanow Elwin Hermanson Jim Melenchuk
Party New Democratic Saskatchewan Liberal
Leader since November 7, 1987 April 20, 1998 November 24, 1996
Leader's seat Saskatoon Riversdale Rosetown-Elrose Saskatoon Northwest
Last election 42 pre-creation 11
Seats before 43 10 5
Seats won 29 25 4
Seat change Decrease14 Increase15 Decrease1
Popular vote 157,046 160,603 81,694
Percentage 38.73% 39.61% 20.15%
Swing Decrease8.48pp Increase39.61 Decrease14.55pp
Premier before election

Roy Romanow
New Democratic

 Premier after election

Roy Romanow
New Democratic

Polls during the campaign indicated strong levels of support for the New Democratic Party government.[2][3] However, facing the fallout of a poor crop growing season and a scandal involving the Crown Corporation electric utility SaskPower (Channel Lake), the New Democrat government of Premier Roy Romanow – challenged by the newly created Saskatchewan Party – lost a significant share of the popular vote; winning exactly half of the fifty eight seats in the legislature.

The right-wing Saskatchewan Party was created during the sitting of the 23rd Assembly when much of the Progressive Conservative caucus joined forces with conservative Liberals who were unhappy with the leadership of Jim Melenchuk.

The new party was led by Elwin Hermanson, a former Reform Party federal Member of Parliament. In this election, it won 39.61% of the popular vote – slightly more than the NDP's 38.73%. However, this was only enough for 25 seats, five short of making Hermanson premier. This was mainly because it was almost nonexistent in the province's more urban areas; it was completely shut out in Regina and won only one seat in Saskatoon.

The NDP was able to continue to govern with the support of some Liberal Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

Some NDP members unhappy with the government of Roy Romanow left to form the New Green Alliance, an environmentalist party. This party won about 1% of the popular vote, and no seats in the legislature.

What remained of the Progressive Conservatives fielded 14 paper candidates – all in NDP strongholds – in order to preserve their status as a registered political party. The Tories did not actively campaign and won only a few votes.

To date, this is the most recent general election to return MLAs who were members of neither the NDP nor the Saskatchewan Party.

Seating Plan After the Election

Opinion polls
Evolution of voting intentions at provincial level
Polling firm Last day
of survey		 Source SNDP SP SLP NGA PCPS Other ME Sample
Election 1999 September 16, 1999 38.73 39.61 20.15 1.01 0.40 0.10
Feedback Research September 12, 1999 [4] 43 37 18 — — — 3.2 1,000
UCAL Management Consultants September 10, 1999 [5] 50 29 19 3 — — 3.1 1,003
Angus Reid September 2, 1999 [6] 47 35 14 2 — 2 3.5 800
UCAL Management Consultants August 26, 1999 [7] 48.9 30.4 18.9 — — — 3.1 1,004
Saskatchewan Party founded (August 8, 1997)[8]
Compas April 28, 1996 [9] 47 — 18 — 25 — 10 100
Election 1995 June 21, 1995 47.21 — 34.70 — 17.92 0.17

Results
Party Party leader # of
candidates		 Seats Popular vote
1995 Dissolution Elected % Change # % % Change
  New Democratic Roy Romanow 58 42 43 29 -32.6% 157,046 38.73% -8.48%
  Saskatchewan Party Elwin Hermanson 58 * 10 251 * 160,603 39.61% *
  Liberal Jim Melenchuk 58 11 5 41 -72.7% 81,694 20.15% -14.55%
New Green Neil Sinclair 16 * – – * 4,101 1.01% *
  Progressive Conservative Iris Dennis 14 5 – – -100% 1,609 0.40% -17.52%
  Independent 2 – – – – 422 0.10% -0.07%
Total 206 58 58 581 – 405,475 100%  
Source: Elections Saskatchewan

Notes: * Party did not nominate candidates in previous election. 1 One constituency – Wood River – was initially won by the Liberals, but the result was overturned by the courts. The Saskatchewan Party won the ensuing by-election.

Percentages
Popular vote
Saskatchewan
 
 39.61%
New Democratic
 
 38.73%
Liberal
 
 20.15%
Others
 
 1.51%
Seats summary
New Democratic
 
 50.00%
Saskatchewan
 
 43.10%
Liberal
 
 6.90%

Ranking
Party Seats Second Third Fourth Fifth
  New Democratic Party 29 24 5 0 0
  Saskatchewan Party 25 23 8 2 0
  Liberal Party 4 11 45 0 0
New Green 0 0 0 15 1
  Progressive Conservative 0 0 0 7 7
  Independent 0 0 0 2 0

8 closest ridings
  1. Wood River: Yogi Huyghebaert (SK Party) def. Glen McPherson (Lib) by 7 votes1
  2. Saskatoon Southeast: Pat Lorje (NDP) def. Grant Karwacki (Lib) by 38 votes
  3. Regina Wascana Plains: Doreen Hamilton (NDP) def. Dan Thibault (SK Party) by 119 votes
  4. Saskatoon Northwest: Jim Melenchuk (Lib) def. Grant Whitmore (NDP) by 127 votes
  5. Saskatchewan Rivers: Daryl Wiberg (SK Party) def. Jack Langford (NDP) by 156 votes
  6. Shellbrook-Spiritwood: Denis Allchurch (SK Party) def. Lloyd Johnson (NDP) by 301 votes
  7. Yorkton: Clay Serby (NDP) def. Lorne Gogal (SK Party) by 306 votes
  8. Meadow Lake: Maynard Sonntag (NDP) def. Bob Young (SK Party) by 323 votes

Notes: 1 see below under "Wood River controversy"

Riding results

People in bold represent cabinet ministers and the Speaker. Party leaders are italicized. The symbol " ** " represents MLAs who are not running again.

Northwest Saskatchewan
Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
New Democratic Saskatchewan
Party		 Liberal New Green
Alliance
       
Athabasca   Buckley Belanger
2,512		 Bert Roach
76		 Allan Adam
389		   Buckley Belanger
Battleford-Cut Knife   Sharon Murrell
2,438		 Rudi Peters
3,107		 Gary McArthur
1,242		   Sharon Murrell
Lloydminster   Violet Stanger
2,135		 Milton Wakefield
2,928		 Larry Ingram
458		   Violet Stanger
Meadow Lake   Maynard Sonntag
2,846		 Bob Young
2,523		 Don Coupland
722		   Maynard Sonntag
North Battleford   Kim Newsham
2,672		 Josiah Rise
1,026		 Jack Hillson
3,478		   Jack Hillson
Redberry Lake   Walter Jess
2,444		 Randy Weekes
3,860		 Harry Lewchuk
1,082		 Ivan Olynyk
162		   Walter Jess
Rosthern   Nadia Willard
1,828		 Ben Heppner
4,331		 Warren McCloud
690		   Ben Heppner
Shellbrook-Spiritwood   Lloyd Johnson
2,594		 Denis Allchurch
2,895		 Walter Krushelniski
1,223		   Lloyd Johnson

Northeast Saskatchewan
Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
New Democratic Saskatchewan
Party		 Liberal Progressive
Conservative
       
Carrot River Valley   Andy Renaud
2,803		 Carl Kwiatkowski
3,582		 Ron Wassill
667		   Andy Renaud
Cumberland   Keith Goulet
2,402		 Don Johannesson
336		 Winston McKay
627		 Quentin Agnew
117		   Keith Goulet
Melfort-Tisdale   Carol Carson
2,489		 Rod Gantefoer
4,096		 Ken Magnus
1,310		   Rod Gantefoer
Prince Albert Carlton   Myron Kowalsky
3,157		 Bert Provost
1,742		 Dan Pinto
943		   Myron Kowalsky
Prince Albert Northcote   Eldon Lautermilch
2,485		 Pauline Provost
754		 Jim Stiglitz
1,632		 Kevin Shiach
135		   Eldon Lautermilch
Saskatchewan Rivers   Jack Langford
2,892		 Daryl Wiberg
3,048		 Stan Kowal
852		   Jack Langford

East Central Saskatchewan
Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
New Democratic Saskatchewan
Party		 Liberal Other
       
Canora-Pelly   Bill Dodge
2,195		 Ken Krawetz
4,529		 Richard McLeod
935		 David Sawkiw (Ind.)
127		   Ken Krawetz
Humboldt   Armand Roy
2,978		 Arlene Julé
3,821		 Joanne Perreault
1,459		 Ron Schriml (NGA)
250		   Arlene Julé
Kelvington-Wadena   Doug Still
2,152		 June Draude
5,045		 Sean Macknak
488		   June Draude
Last Mountain-Touchwood   Dale Flavel
2,909		 Glen Hart
3,816		 Ken Kluz
1,363		   Dale Flavel
Watrous   Eric Upshall
2,928		 Donna Harpauer
3,572		 Ray Hall
1,437		   Eric Upshall
Yorkton   Clay Serby
2,893		 Lorne Gogal
2,587		 Richard Yaholnitsky
1,578		   Clay Serby

Southwest Saskatchewan
Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
New Democratic Saskatchewan
Party		 Liberal Other
       
Arm River   Ron Bishoff
2,110		 Greg Brkich
3,696		 Harvey McLane
2,624		   Harvey McLane
Cypress Hills   Keith Murch
1,368		 Wayne Elhard
4,138		 Barry Thienes
1,097		   Wayne Elhard1
Kindersley   Bill Rosher
1,444		 Bill Boyd
4,491		 Vaughn Biberdorf
1,140		   Bill Boyd
Moose Jaw North   Glenn Hagel
3,451		 Alene Tanner
2,772		 Tatum Benz
591		   Glenn Hagel
Moose Jaw Wakamow   Deb Higgins
3,111		 Doris Dunphy
1,892		 Marlin Belt
668		 Vanessa Slater (PC)
99		   Lorne Calvert**
Rosetown-Biggar   Berny Wiens
2,801		 Elwin Hermanson
4,907		 John Hendrickson
548		 Rick Barsky (NGA)
75		   Berny Wiens
Swift Current   John Wall
2,538		 Brad Wall
4,600		 Rhonda Thompson
1,269		   John Wall
Thunder Creek   Ivan Costley
1,496		 Lyle Stewart
3,969		 Gerard Aldridge
2,031		   Gerard Aldridge
Wood River2   Robert Anderson
1,608		 Yogi Huyghebaert
3,139		 Glen McPherson
3,132		   Glen McPherson

Notes

1. Elhard was elected to the Legislature as a member of the Saskatchewan Party in a June 1999 by-election following the resignation and eventual conviction of former PC MLA Jack Goohsen.
2. see below under Wood River controversy

Southeast Saskatchewan
Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
New Democratic Saskatchewan
Party		 Liberal New Green
Alliance
       
Cannington   Glen Lawson
1,104		 Dan D'Autremont
5,671		 Joanne Johnston
798		   Dan D'Autremont
Estevan   Larry Ward
1,484		 Doreen Eagles
3,577		 Neil Collins
2,440		 Sigfredo Gonzalez
130		   Larry Ward
Indian Head-Milestone   Lorne Scott
2,305		 Don McMorris
3,877		 Larry Schultz
1,693		 Garth Herman
187		   Lorne Scott
Melville   Michael Fisher
2,056		 Garry Hoffman
2,165		 Ron Osika
3,419		   Ron Osika
Moosomin   John McCormick
1,604		 Don Toth
4,669		 John Van Eaton
1,539		   Don Toth
Saltcoats   Leo Fuhr
1,884		 Bob Bjornerud
4,688		 Vic Polsom
933		   Bob Bjonerud
Weyburn-Big Muddy   Judy Bradley
2,899		 Brenda Bakken
4,015		 Joseph Weisgerber
1,373		   Judy Bradley

Saskatoon
Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
New Democratic Saskatchewan
Party		 Liberal New Green
Alliance		 Progressive
Conservative
         
Saskatoon Eastview   Judy Junor
3,644		 Francis Kreiser
2,646		 Bernie Yuzdepski
1,722		 Sandy Ervin
366		   Judy Junor
Saskatoon Fairview   Chris Axworthy
2,653		 Sandra Rees
1,137		 Barry Anderson
649		 Lynn Oliphant
89		 Gwen Katzman
153		   Chris Axworthy
Saskatoon Greystone   Peter Prebble
3,630		 John Brennan
2,501		 Peter Stroh
1,454		   Lynda Haverstock**
Saskatoon Idylwyld   Janice MacKinnon
3,144		 Martin Boser
1,333		 Tim Ponto
977		 Maisie Shiell
258		 Kenneth J. Klassen
122		   Janice MacKinnon
Saskatoon Meewasin   Carolyn Jones
3,588		 Rodger Broadhead
2,863		 Paul Prisciak
1,374		 David Greenfield
294		   Carol Teichrob**
Saskatoon Mount Royal   Eric Cline
3,523		 Tyson Delorme
1,280		 Myron Luczka
1,187		 Kirk Eggum
89		   Eric Cline
Saskatoon Northwest   Grant Whitmore
2,236		 Jerry Ehalt
1,912		 Jim Melenchuk
2,363		   Grant Whitmore
Saskatoon Nutana   Pat Atkinson
3,671		 Terry Biddell
1,472		 George Haines
1,068		 Patrick L. Smith
520		 Dave Mathers
75		   Pat Atkinson
Saskatoon Riversdale   Roy Romanow
3,130		 Mark Coderre
1,060		 David Pillipow
923		 Neil Sinclair
167		 Glenn Schriener
127		   Roy Romanow
Saskatoon Southeast   Pat Lorje
3,172		 Dennis Reaburn
1,987		 Grant Karwacki
3,134		   Pat Lorje
Saskatoon Sutherland   Graham Addley
3,234		 Robin Bellamy
2,778		 Vernice McIntyre
1,268		   Mark Koenker**

Regina
Electoral District Candidates Incumbent
New Democratic Saskatchewan
Party		 Liberal New Green
Alliance		 Progressive
Conservative		 Other
           
Regina Centre   Joanne Crofford
3,265		 Ryan LeBlond
926		 Robert Jozsa
1,362		 Barb Markewich
534		 Kenneth R. Johnson
177		   Joanne Crofford
Regina Coronation Park   Kim Trew
3,297		 Lyle Hewitt
1,517		 Kathy Hill
1,391		 Ian Kimball
112		   Kim Trew
Regina Dewdney   Kevin Yates
2,687		 Brent Shirkey
1,091		 Hem Juttla
1,500		 Victor Lau
294		 Kristian Eggum
130		   Edwin Tchorzewski**
Regina Elphinstone   Dwain Lingenfelter
2,689		 Jo Ann Mohr
1,168		 Robert Ermel
1,109		 John Warnock
243		 Brenda Rossow
56		   Dwain Lingenfelter
Regina Lakeview   John Nilson
4,207		 Randall Edge
1,741		 Karen Pedersen
2,173		 Brad Johnson
116		 Wayne Gilmer (Ind.)
295		   John Nilson
Regina Northeast   Ron Harper
3,193		 Yvonne Mackie
1,566		 John Patterson
1,327		   Edward Shillington**
Regina Qu'Appelle Valley   Mark Wartman
3,641		 Murray Hugel
2,251		 Reina Sinclair
1,502		   Suzanne Murray**
Regina Sherwood   Lindy Kasperski
3,090		 Arlene Bray
1,549		 Tom Crosby
1,369		 George Marcotte
101		   Lindy Kasperski
Regina South   Andrew Thomson
3,324		 Terri Harris
2,533		 David Huliyappa
2,390		 Peter Borch
278		   Andrew Thomson
Regina Victoria   Harry Van Mulligen
3,231		 Terry Wall
1,690		 John Knight
1,608		 Jim Elliott
254		   Harry Van Mulligen
Regina Wascana Plains   Doreen Hamilton
3,758		 Dan Thibault
3,639		 Adam Niesner
1,943		   Doreen Hamilton

Wood River controversy

The Wood River electoral district in the wake of the 1999 general election endured a nine-month crisis where it went without representation. On election night returns came back in favour of Saskatchewan Party candidate Yogi Huyghebaert who defeated incumbent Glen McPherson by just seven votes in unofficial returns.[10] The close election results were challenged in the courts.

After five months a judicial decision came down and the results were certified on January 27, 2000. Saskatchewan Liberal Party incumbent Glen McPherson was declared by a judge the winner by a single vote defeating Yogi Huyghebaert from the Saskatchewan Party.[11] The Saskatchewan Party decided to challenge the judicial decision, and it was overturned and dissolved based on irregularities in the absentee ballots.

The seat was dissolved and a by-election was called by Premier Roy Romanow on May 29, 2000.[12] McPherson did not run in the subsequent by-election, choosing to reject the NDP-Liberal coalition. His candidacy for the Liberal party was replaced by Gerry Ruehs.[13] Huyghebaert ended up winning the by-election.

See also

References

Notes
  1. "Voter turnout figures for 28th Saskatchewan election released". Elections Saskatchewan. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  2. "Romanow "encouraged" by poll, Melenchuk not "discouraged"". CBC News. August 30, 1999. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  3. "Romanow re-elected with minority government". Maclean's. September 27, 1999. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  4. Wyatt, Mark (September 14, 1999). "50 per cent of voters favour New Democrats". The StarPhoenix. p. A1.
  5. Wyatt, Mark (September 14, 1999). "50 per cent of voters favour New Democrats". The StarPhoenix. p. A1.
  6. Mandryk, Murray (September 7, 1999). "CBC opinion poll gives New Democrats comfortable lead". The StarPhoenix. p. A1.
  7. Gatehouse, Jonathan (August 30, 1999). "Romanow headed for third straight majority in Saskatchewan: poll: NDP has 18.5% lead". The National Post. p. A1.
  8. Cairns, John. "25th anniversary for the Sask. Party this week". SaskToday.ca. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  9. Wyatt, Mark (May 7, 1996). "Tories use poll results to needle Liberal caucus". The StarPhoenix. p. A2.
  10. "Unofficial returns Saskatchewan general election 1999". Psephos Adam Carr's Election Archive. September 16, 1999. Archived from the original on September 3, 2007. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
  11. "McPherson wins Wood River". CBC News. January 27, 2000. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
  12. "Wood River By-election June 26". Government of Saskatchewan. May 29, 2000. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
  13. "Wood River by-election underway". CBC News. June 26, 2000. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
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