Brad Wall’s announcement that he will soon retire as premier came as a shock to many, but the timing certainly made sense.
If Wall was going to leave politics, the best time would have been between June and October of this year.
His announcement came about 16 months after the last provincial election, when his Saskatchewan Party was elected to a third straight majority government, and in landslide fashion. Ironically, when Roy Romanow of the New Democratic Party (NDP) stepped down in September 2000, it came about 16 months after the NDP won their third consecutive government, although the NDP had a minority government at that time.
The Sask. Party is expected to have its new leader in January 2018, which gives Wall’s replacement a chance to hold power for a couple of months before the provincial budget is released. And it gives the new premier two years to lead the party before the 2020 provincial election.
Wall will go down as one of the most successful and popular premiers in this province’s history. He guided this province through its greatest prosperity and growth since the Second World War, and a lot of that growth can be traced to Sask. Party policies.
He is a dynamic, engaging person who’s easy to relate with for the public, and a double-tough fighter when necessary. He has been unquestionably the top premier in the country for years.
When you’re the most popular premier nine years after taking on the job, you know you’re doing something right.
For all of these reasons, replacing Wall as premier will not be an easy task. There are capable individuals within the Sask. Party who would do a good job as premier, but there isn’t a stand-out candidate who seems to be a slam dunk for the job.
The question of who will take Wall’s place as party leader has lingered over the Sask. Party for years. Now we’re going to find out.
To a certain extent, it’s similar to what we saw in 2000 and 2001 after Romanow announced his intentions to step down as premier. Seven potential candidates stepped forward. There were solid choices, but not a superstar. Lorne Calvert eventually won the leadership race and spent nearly seven years as premier. He did a good job, but wasn’t at Romanow’s level.
It’s hard to say who will be the next leader of the Sask. Party. It might not be someone who is currently within the Sask. Party caucus. Calvert wasn’t part of the NDP’s caucus when he won the party’s leadership race more than 16 years ago.
But that next Sask. Party leader will face challenges. The next two budgets will be a challenge, as the government tries to attain a balanced budget before 2020. The new leader will also face a renewed challenge from the NDP, who will undoubtedly get a boost for no other reason than Wall isn’t at the helm of the Sask. Party any longer.
Hopefully the next Sask. Party leader will continue to fight the carbon tax that the federal government wants to impose on Saskatchewan.
And the new premier will also face the reality of trying to follow in the footsteps of Wall, one of the most well-liked premiers in Saskatchewan’s history.
