# 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 four elected Liberal Party MLAs to hold majority government.
Polls during the campaign indicated strong levels of support for the New Democratic Party government. 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.

## Opinion polls

Evolution of voting intentions at provincial level :
| Polling firm | Last day of survey | 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 | 43 | 37 | 18 | — | — | — | 3.2 | 1,000 |
| UCAL Management Consultants | September 10, 1999 | 50 | 29 | 19 | 3 | — | — | 3.1 | 1,003 |
| Angus Reid | September 2, 1999 | 47 | 35 | 14 | 2 | — | 2 | 3.5 | 800 |
| UCAL Management Consultants | August 26, 1999 | 48.9 | 30.4 | 18.9 | — | — | — | 3.1 | 1,004 |
| Saskatchewan Party founded (August 8, 1997) |||||||||||
| Compas | April 28, 1996 | 47 | — | 18 | — | 25 | — | 10 | 100 |
| Election 1995 | June 21, 1995 | 47.21 | — | 34.70 | — | 17.92 | 0.17 | | |

## Results

| Party | Party | Party leader | # of candidates | Seats | Seats | Seats | Seats | Popular vote | Popular vote | Popular vote |
| Party | Party | Party leader | # of candidates | 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 | 25$^1$ | * | 160,603 | 39.61% | * |
| | Liberal | Jim Melenchuk | 58 | 11 | 5 | 4$^1$ | -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 | Independent | 2 | – | – | – | – | 422 | 0.10% | -0.07% |
| Total | Total | Total | 206 | 58 | 58 | 58$^1$ | – | 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

* Wood River: Yogi Huyghebaert (SK Party) def. Glen McPherson (Lib) by 7 votes$^1$
* Saskatoon Southeast: Pat Lorje (NDP) def. Grant Karwacki (Lib) by 38 votes
* Regina Wascana Plains: Doreen Hamilton (NDP) def. Dan Thibault (SK Party) by 119 votes
* Saskatoon Northwest: Jim Melenchuk (Lib) def. Grant Whitmore (NDP) by 127 votes
* Saskatchewan Rivers: Daryl Wiberg (SK Party) def. Jack Langford (NDP) by 156 votes
* Shellbrook-Spiritwood: Denis Allchurch (SK Party) def. Lloyd Johnson (NDP) by 301 votes
* Yorkton: Clay Serby (NDP) def. Lorne Gogal (SK Party) by 306 votes
* 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 | Electoral District | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| Electoral District | Electoral District | New Democratic | Saskatchewan Party | Liberal | New Green Alliance | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| 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 | Electoral District | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| Electoral District | Electoral District | New Democratic | Saskatchewan Party | Liberal | Progressive Conservative | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| 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 | Electoral District | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| Electoral District | Electoral District | New Democratic | Saskatchewan Party | Liberal | Other | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| 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 | Electoral District | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| Electoral District | Electoral District | New Democratic | Saskatchewan Party | Liberal | Other | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| 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 Elhard$^1$ |
| 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 River$^2$ | | 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 | Electoral District | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| Electoral District | Electoral District | New Democratic | Saskatchewan Party | Liberal | New Green Alliance | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| 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 | Electoral District | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| Electoral District | Electoral District | New Democratic | Saskatchewan Party | Liberal | New Green Alliance | Progressive Conservative | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| 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 | Electoral District | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| Electoral District | Electoral District | New Democratic | Saskatchewan Party | Liberal | New Green Alliance | Progressive Conservative | Other | Incumbent | Incumbent |
| 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. 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. 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. 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. Huyghebaert ended up winning the by-election.