Carrot River Valley

Carrot River Valley covers the northeast corner of Saskatchewan, with its largest population centres being Nipawin, Tisdale, Carrot River, and Hudson Bay. The riding's economy is based on mixed agriculture, forestry, and local manufacturing, and its communities serve as gateways to the northern boreal forest. Saskatchewan Party MLA Fred Bradshaw had held the seat since first being elected in the 2007 general election, and he was seeking his fourth consecutive general election victory in 2020. Bradshaw was a well-known figure in the riding, having farmed near Carrot River for decades and served on multiple local boards.

The 2020 election was held on October 26 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Carrot River Valley remained one of the safer Saskatchewan Party seats in the province, with Bradshaw benefiting from strong name recognition and incumbency in a riding that had been held by the party since 1999.

Candidates

Fred Bradshaw (Saskatchewan Party) — Born in Arborfield in 1951, Bradshaw farmed near Carrot River, where he raised his family. In his younger years, he worked on oil rigs in the winter and farmed in the summer, later obtaining his commercial pilot's license to start aerial spraying as a way to diversify his farm. He served on Carrot River Town Council, the Pasquia Park board, and was a past president of the Saskatchewan Aerial Applicators Association. In the legislature, he had served as Deputy House Leader and Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Environment.

Rod McCorriston (NDP) — McCorriston was born and raised in Tisdale and worked for the Department of Highways for twenty years before becoming the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union's director of labour relations in Regina. His campaign priorities included fixing worn-down highways, expanding high-speed internet access in rural areas, and recruiting and retaining more healthcare professionals for the region.

Glen Leson (Progressive Conservative) — Leson ran as the Progressive Conservative candidate in Carrot River Valley, part of the party's effort to maintain a presence across the province.

Liam Becker ran for the Green Party but received less than two per cent of the vote.

Local Issues

Highway infrastructure was the foremost local issue in Carrot River Valley during the 2016-2020 term. Highway 55, which connects Carrot River to Red Earth Cree Nation and serves as a vital corridor for Indigenous communities, the forest industry, and regional businesses, was in poor condition and structurally deficient in flood-prone areas. The federal and provincial governments announced a joint project to rehabilitate over fifty kilometres of Highway 55, including road widening, new culverts, and improved drainage. This project was announced in 2019 and reflected longstanding advocacy by Bradshaw and local communities for better transportation links to move products from the northeast to Manitoba and beyond.

Healthcare access was another significant concern. Recruiting and retaining physicians and healthcare workers in small northeast communities proved difficult, and residents worried about the sustainability of local hospital services. The availability of reliable broadband internet was also a pressing issue for farmers, small businesses, and families in the riding, with many areas lacking the connectivity needed for modern agricultural operations and rural education.