Humboldt New Democrats are gearing up for a fall election. And they feel their new candidate will help them win back a riding that, historically, has belonged to them.
About 20 card-carrying NDP supporters were on hand at the Humboldt Legion on June 15 for the nomination of Gord Bedient as party candidate for the Humboldt riding.
A provincial election is slated for November 7.
A resident of Saskatoon, the 55-year-old Bedient earned the Humboldt nomination by acclamation. He ran for the NDP in Saskatoon Silverspring in the 2007 provincial election.
Bedient grew up on a farm near Hanley, but has lived in Saskatoon for most of his adult life. His is married with four children, and works as an electrician at Agrium Potash, just west of Saskatoon.
Bedient is active in the labour movement, and in the community. He is president of Local 7552 of the United Steelworkers, and is vice-president of the Steelworkers' area council, as well as chair of their political action committee. He sits on the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour's political action committee, was director (for two terms) of the Saskatoon and District United Way, and sits on the United Way's Strength of Spirit committee, a special committee appointed to build relationships with the aboriginal community.
Bedient also serves as director of the Saskatoon Co-op board, and sits on the provincial potash council.
Although he doesn't actually live in the Humboldt riding, Bedient said he understands many of the issues and concerns facing area residents. The fact that he grew up on a farm, and his career as a labour leader and potash worker, have made him well versed with issues facing many of those within this riding, he said.
Bedient also owned his own business at one time, and he feels he understands the needs of small business as well.
"I know I've got to bone up a bit more on the agricultural side, because when I grew up on the farm, that's quite a few years ago now," he told the Humboldt Journal. "But I have a lot of friends still in the rural area, and I'm a strong supporter of the (Canadian) Wheat Board. That concept of the cooperative movement, I still hold that to be true. And I do know some of the problems that farmers are facing.
"I have some great help with the executive here, who will fill me in with the issues they have pertaining to this constituency, and that's something I would really bring forward as a candidate and an MLA. Sure, I have to worry about the rest of the province, but the main issues are going to be what's important to Humboldt. I think anybody that knows me, who I'm representing, I bring that voice forward, and I'll represent them to the best of my ability."
The acclaiming of Bedient is evidence that the New Democrats are alive and well in Humboldt, said Trent Wotherspoon, the guest speaker and NDP MLA for Regina Rosemont.
"It would be an honour to serve with Gord at the Legislature, and to sit at the caucus table with him," Wotherspoon said. "He's a labour leader, and he represents steelworkers and potash workers. His work and his values are a real asset to the province and to our party. This is the kind of positive change we're seeing. We've got a heck of a slate of candidates across the province."
Wotherspoon said the record of Humboldt's current MLA, Sask Party member Donna Harpauer, "is a sad one." He pointed out that as minister of social services, Harpauer oversaw the largest increase in social assistance cases in the province's history. And now as education minister, she has failed to put together an adequate funding formula for the province's school divisions.
Wotherspoon noted that it has been three years since the provincial government "ripped up" the last funding agreement for education, "And there's still nothing in its place. That's a detriment to our students and our communities."
Bedient agreed that Harpauer has failed to adequately represent the interests of Humboldt citizens.
" I want to warn Donna that I'm out here, and I believe I'm going to take her seat," he said. "Nothing negative against her, but I believe the residents of the Humboldt constituency deserve better."
