When Saskatchewan went into election, the Legislative Assembly was made up primarily Saskatchewan Party MPs, but there will be a much higher number of NDP MPs enter the building when the government begins a new session.

Monday’s election saw the NDP make its biggest gains in the province in more than 15 years.

The count is still ongoing and the numbers could change, but so far 24 are elected, including two leading in their constituency.

“What an incredible journey we have been on together,” NDP Leader Carla Beck said, addressing supporters. “My friends, we are so close. You know, when we started this campaign, a lot of people didn’t give us much of a chance, but we believed in it. And thanks to the hard work and determination of all of you here and across the province, we have given people a reason to hope again.

Beck acknowledged the party did not win government, but told supporters it had “changed the landscape” of the province.

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The last time the party saw more than 20 MPs was in 2007, before losing power to the Saskatchewan Party and being reduced to just 20 seats. Since then it has lost seats, falling to nine in 2011 and reaching just 13 in the last election in 2020, although before its dissolution this year one additional MP was elected.

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Much of his groundswell of support has come from the province’s larger cities, with Regina and Saskatoon appearing to turn almost completely orange, although at least two in Saskatoon could remain with the government when final counts are completed.

Beck added that while it wasn’t the outcome they wanted, “tonight is not the end,” and said the election showed the public wanted change.

“Tonight’s close result is a message that the people of Saskatchewan want and deserve a government that puts them first and we won’t stop until that vision becomes a reality,” Beck said.

Several re-elected NDP MPs said the results demonstrated a desire for “change.”

“People told us they were ready for change and what we see in these results here tonight shows us exactly that,” Erika Ritchie, re-elected MP for Saskatoon Nutana, told Global News.

These municipal victories also led to some defeats for the Saskatchewan Party, with five ministers losing their seats.

While the NDP rejoiced in its major inroads in big cities, political analyst Ken Coates warned it was a sign the party, as well as the Saskatchewan Party, still needed work.

“Neither party was able to break out from their base, but the NDP did a fabulous job getting into Saskatoon and Regina,” Coates said.

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