Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK — March 17, 2008 Federal By-Election

Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River

Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River is a vast northern Saskatchewan riding covering approximately 588,000 square kilometres — the third-largest federal riding located within a province. The by-election was called after Gary Merasty, the Liberal MP elected in 2006, resigned effective August 31, 2007, to take a position in the private sector with the uranium company Cameco, citing family considerations.

Candidates

Rob Clarke (Conservative) — Clarke was a sergeant with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who had served 18 years on the force before entering politics. He was based in the riding and campaigned on his experience in law enforcement and community service in northern Saskatchewan.

Joan Beatty (Liberal) — Beatty was a former Saskatchewan NDP provincial cabinet minister who had served as Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for the Status of Women. She was the first Indigenous woman elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature, winning the provincial Cumberland riding in 2003. Her appointment as the Liberal candidate was controversial, as Liberal leader Stéphane Dion bypassed the normal nomination process, angering supporters of other prospective candidates.

Brian Morin (NDP) — Morin ran as the NDP candidate in the by-election.

Robin Orr (Green Party) — Orr represented the Green Party in the contest.

About the Riding

The riding encompasses the entire northern half of Saskatchewan, stretching from Prince Albert and Meadow Lake in the south to the province's northern boundary. Major communities include Prince Albert (population over 35,000 and the riding's largest city), La Ronge (a gateway community to the far north on the shore of Lac La Ronge), Meadow Lake, La Loche, and Buffalo Narrows.

Approximately 70 percent of the riding's population of roughly 68,000 is Indigenous, primarily Cree and Métis in the southern and central portions and Dene in the north. The riding has the highest proportion of Métis residents of any federal riding in Canada. Languages spoken include English, Cree, and Dene.

The economy is driven by natural resources, particularly uranium mining (with Cameco operating major mines in the Athabasca Basin), forestry, and commercial fishing. Prince Albert serves as the southern service centre, while La Ronge functions as the administrative hub for the north. The riding's enormous size presents significant logistical challenges, with many communities accessible only by air or winter roads.