The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Creighton MLA Doyle Vermette will play an even bigger role with Saskatchewan's official opposition under new leader Cam Broten. Broten, who won the NDP leadership this past Saturday, has named Vermette his deputy critic for First Nations and M_tis relations. Vermette retains his role as party whip and critic for northern Saskatchewan, Parks and Sport, Tourism Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Transportation Company. Vermette's new duties were part of a shadow cabinet shuffle announced by Broten on Monday. 'I met individually with each of the MLAs on the team, and we are all excited about making today a new day for the NDP,' said Broten in a press statement. 'Shuffling shadow cabinet responsibilities is about matching each NDP MLA with the issues they have a passion for _ the areas in which they think Saskatchewan can do better, especially when it comes to long-term sustainability and smart growth.' Added Broten: 'I started the shuffle knowing that I never want to pass up an opportunity for the NDP team to grow or do better. I think this shuffle hits the mark, and I'm very confident that the MLAs I've asked to take on new jobs will really deliver for the people of the province.' Broten himself will handle critic duties for executive council, First Nations and M_tis relations, intergovernmental affairs and immigration. Party members narrowly elected Broten the new NDP leader at a convention held over the weekend in Saskatoon. Broten, a 34-year-old Saskatoon MLA, reportedly won on the second ballot by just 44 votes over his chief opponent, physician Ryan Meili. MLA Trent Wotherspoon withdrew from the leadership race after finishing last on the first ballot. Broten has now asked Wotherspoon to be his deputy leader. The NDP occupies just nine of the 58 seats in the Saskatchewan legislature. Premier Brad Wall's Saskatchewan Party holds the rest.
