2001 Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leadership election

Background

Attorney General Chris Axworthy largely campaigned on continuing Romanow's legacy, including his Third Way policies.

Lorne Calvert campaigned on a return to the NDP's social democratic roots, positioning himself to the left of both Axworthy and Romanow.

Wiebe ran an explicitly anti-neoliberal campaign, and was perceived as the most left-wing of the candidates.

Candidates

Chris Axworthy

Chris Axworthy was the MLA for Saskatoon Fairview and Attorney General of Saskatchewan. He was first elected in a June 1999 provincial by-election held months before the 1999 provincial election. Previously, he was the MP for Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar (1997–1999) and Saskatoon—Clark's Crossing (1988–1997). Before entering politics, he was a professor of law at the University of Saskatchewan.

Scott Banda

Scott Banda was a lawyer from Saskatoon. He was previously president of the Saskatchewan Young New Democrats.

Buckley Belanger

Buckley Belanger was the MLA for Athabasca. He was first elected in the 1995 provincial election. Belanger was originally elected as a member of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party, but left to join the Saskatchewan NDP in 1998. Previously, he was mayor of Île-à-la-Crosse from 1988 to 1994. Before entering politics, he was a journalist for the Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation.

Lorne Calvert

Lorne Calvert was previously the MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow (1991–1999) and Moose Jaw South (1986–1991). He had also been the Minister of Social Services from 1995 to 1998. Before entering politics, he was a United Church minister.

Joanne Crofford

Joanne Crofford was the MLA for Regina Centre. She was first elected in the 1991 provincial election. Before entering politics, she was a civil servant.

Maynard Sonntag

Maynard Sonntag was the MLA for Meadow Lake. He was first elected in the 1991 provincial election. Before entering politics, he was the manager of a credit union.

Nettie Wiebe

Nettie Wiebe was previously the president of the National Farmers Union from 1995 to 1998. Immediately prior to the leadership election, she was a professor at the University of Saskatchewan.

Ballot results

(Crofford and Belanger eliminated at under 5%)

(Banda eliminated, Sonntag withdraws)

(Wiebe eliminated)

References

References

1. McGrane, David. "Saskatchewan Politics".
2. Ruddy, Jennifer Marie. (2007). "From Policy Advisors to the Enemies Within: Feminist Activism in the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party, 1982-2006". [[University of Regina]].
3. Conway, J.F.. (2006). "Labour and the CCF/NDP in Saskatchewan". Prairie Forum.
4. McGrane, David. "Saskatchewan Politics".
5. Roberts, David W.. (1999-10-30). "Why Chris Axworthy feels at home". [[The Globe and Mail]].
6. . (2000-10-30). ["Banda wants to lead Sask NDP"](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/banda-wants-to-lead-sask-ndp-1.221284). *[[CBC News]]*.
7. Pearce, Nick. (2021-08-10). "NDP MLA Buckley Belanger resigns from legislature to seek federal Liberal nomination". Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
8. Quiring, David. (2025). "Belanger, Buckley (1960-)". [[University of Saskatchewan]].
9. Manke, Brent. (2015-05-13). "Calvert, Moore Among Order Of Merit Recipients". Discover Moose Jaw.
10. . (2006). ["Crofford, Joanne Sharon (1947-)"](https://www.esask.uregina.ca/entry/crofford_joanne_sharon_1947-.html). *Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan*.
11. . (2000-10-17). ["Sonntag joins NDP leadership bid"](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sonntag-joins-ndp-leadership-bid-1.227424). *[[CBC News]]*.
12. (2004). "Saskatchewan Politicians: Lives Past and Present". University of Regina Press.
13. . (2006). ["Wiebe, Nettie (1949-)"](https://www.esask.uregina.ca/entry/wiebe_nettie_1949-.html). *Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan*.
14. Wolfwood, Theresa. (2007). "Nettie Wiebe: Agrarian Feminist". The Barnard Boecker Centre Foundation.