Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis

Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis is a new constituency created through redistribution ahead of the 2024 election, taking its name from the Chief Mistawasis Bridge that crosses the South Saskatchewan River in the city's north end. The riding includes the established neighbourhoods of Lawson Heights and Silverwood Heights, along with territory east of the bridge that was added during the boundary redraw. Home to the SaskTel Centre arena and the Saskatoon Provincial Correctional Centre, the constituency blends suburban residential streets with significant institutional landmarks. With no incumbent on the ballot, the seat was an open contest from the start — and one that proved to be among the tightest races in the province.

Candidates

Don McBean (NDP) — Born in Swift Current, McBean spent his career as a teacher and public school administrator, working in schools across Canada with a focus on supporting students and collaborating with families. A resident of the riding with his wife Valérie, he and his family of six children brought a strong connection to the community's schools and neighbourhood life. After his election, he was named the NDP's shadow minister for tourism, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, and SaskGaming.

Parminder Singh (Saskatchewan Party) — Originally from India, Singh earned an MBA in finance and marketing before immigrating to Saskatoon in 2011. He worked as a branch manager at Curo Canada and was active in the Sikh community, serving as treasurer of the Sikh Temple (West) in Saskatoon. Singh won a contested nomination for the Saskatchewan Party and ran an energetic door-to-door campaign across the riding.

Shane Caellaigh (Green Party) received approximately three per cent of the vote.

Local Issues

As a newly drawn riding, Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis lacked the established political identity of longer-standing constituencies. Voters in Lawson Heights and Silverwood Heights had previously been represented by different MLAs under the old boundary map, and candidates had to introduce themselves to an electorate that was, in some cases, unfamiliar with its new riding designation. The contest became a ground-level test of retail politics, with both major-party candidates investing heavily in door-knocking and community visibility.

Healthcare access was a prominent concern. Residents of the riding's suburban neighbourhoods, while not facing the acute poverty-related health challenges of the inner city, nonetheless experienced the effects of a strained provincial system. Emergency room wait times at Saskatoon hospitals had ballooned, and the shortage of family physicians left many families without a regular doctor. The NDP's promise of $1.1 billion in additional healthcare spending over four years resonated in a riding where young families wanted assurance that the system would be there when needed.

Affordability and housing costs shaped the campaign in a constituency where many residents were homeowners managing rising property taxes, utility bills, and the general cost of living. The Saskatchewan Party promoted its affordability platform, including an enhanced first-time homebuyer tax credit, while the NDP argued that government inaction on housing supply and rental costs had left middle-class families struggling. The race remained too close to call on election night, with McBean ultimately confirmed as the winner after mail-in ballots were counted.