NDP’s Nathaniel Teed wins Saskatoon Meewasin by-election

NDP candidate Nathaniel Teed won a landslide victory in Saskatoon Meewasin’s by-election on Monday.

Teed won nearly 57% of the vote, beating four other candidates to win the riding previously held by former NDP leader Ryan Meili.

Teed will now sit in the provincial legislature on the opposition bench alongside 11 of his NDP colleagues.

The ruling Saskatchewan Party holds 48 seats and an Independent holds one seat.

Teed is a former educational assistant and co-owner of a furniture and design store in downtown Saskatoon.

Teed, a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, said he hopes to represent them in the Legislative Assembly. In addition, he plans to advocate for more funding for education and smaller class sizes.

With the 53 polls reported, Teed had received 2,624 votes.

Key issues

« People were excited about our message and they resonated with what we were saying.

« The key issues for people in this election were health care, education and affordability, » Teed said. « As a former teacher, education is very close to my heart. This election is our build towards 2024. »

Teed is the first openly gay MP elected in Saskatchewan.

I think this is a really big win for representation and diversity of voices in Saskatchewan,” Teed said. “I think this will continue to open the door to ensuring that our legislature is representative of the people it serves.

NDP Opposition Leader Carla Beck said she was able to reach out to voters.

“We are determined to continue this work, to continue to build, to continue this momentum and you know, that is certainly my job and that of the deputies,” Beck said.

« What we’re hearing more and more is that it’s a government that has stopped listening. They’ve become disconnected. »

Saskatchewan. Party candidate Kim Groff, who ran to give residents a voice in government, finished second with 1,712 votes, 37%.

Provincial Liberal Leader Jeff Walters was a distant third with 118 votes. Buffalo Party candidate Mark Friesen was fourth with 112 votes and the Green Party’s Jacklin Andrews fifth with 56.

About 4,627 of the 12,292 registered voters voted in the by-election.

« It was a breakthrough result, » Walters said in a statement congratulating Teed.

« Congratulations to him, I’m sure he will be a welcome voice in the Provincial Legislative Assembly. »

The by-election was called on August 29 after Meili announced his intention to step down as party leader in February.