From Left to Right

Saskatchewan's Political and Economic Transformation

Dale Eisler

• Publisher: University of Regina Press
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9780889778641
• eBook ISBN: 9780889778665
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Global Politics
• Index: Politics & International Relations

Winner, Scholarly Writing Award, Saskatchewan Book Awards, 2023
Shortlisted, Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing, 2023
Shortlisted, The Hill Times Best Books of 2022 An in-depth look at the political landscape of Saskatchewan from its leftist roots to its shift in recent years to the right of centre.

One of the most underreported stories in Canadian politics has been the political and economic transformation of Saskatchewan. The province that was the birthplace of the CCF-NDP and democratic socialism in North America has, over the last fifty years, undergone fundamental change that has altered its identity. It is now seen as the bastion of the centre-right Saskatchewan Party, which has become one of the most dominant provincial political parties in Canada.

The story of that transformation, in which the once powerful NDP has been relegated to the political margins, reaches far beyond the province itself and reflects national and global events that have shaped the province over the course of the last half century. Modern Saskatchewan politics have been less about ideology and more about the influence of issues and events since the late 1960s and the lure of populist leaders who speak to an identity rooted in the province's history. Consistent with Saskatchewan's history, From Left to Right presents a blend of populism, a deeply embedded spirit of independence and personal initiative, coupled with communitarian values and the constant search for a better future.

Advance Praise for

From Left to Right

“Dale Eisler thinks he has written a book about Saskatchewan politics. In fact, he has written a profound meditation on the complex relationship between political leadership, ideology (which only matters to the cognoscenti) and the yearning of voters for representatives who care about what they care about. The ‘experts’ long thought Saskatchewan was ‘on the left,’ but left and right don’t signify for most people. Those who think Canada is ‘progressive,’ Alberta ‘conservative,’ or Quebec ‘left wing’ just don’t get it. Eisler has written a field manual for transformational politics that should be read anywhere insurgents struggle against entrenched and seemingly unassailable electoral machines.” — brian lee crowley, Managing Director, Macdonald-Laurier Institute

“As a former journalist and daily columnist in Saskatchewan, Eisler…has written a very clear and important book.…It will gain a wide readership and spark a lot of debate.” —ken rasmussen, Director of Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina

“In 1944, Saskatchewan unleashed a political revolution that spilled beyond its borders. Today, the counter-revolution. Only Dale Eisler can chronicle the twists and turns that got us here.” —ed greenspon, President and ceo of Public Policy Forum

“Dale shows us how narratives turned into myths, making it perilous for politicians facing new realities to dare make necessary changes and very tempting for populists to keep pandering to old grievances. A very instructive read for all Canadians.” —louis lévesque, former Federal Deputy Minister

“Eisler has authored several of Saskatchewan’s must-read books about its history and roots—and has contributed another with From Left to Right. Here he asks one of the most important questions facing modern democracies. Why have voters—in this case, Saskatchewan voters—set aside long progressive traditions and embraced angry right-wing populism, often against their own economic and social best interests? That history is well told here. What remains to be seen is how permanent the grip of the right on Saskatchewan will be. As Eisler knows well, nothing in politics is permanent.” —brian topp, Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University

“Rarely does a hinge in history occur at a single event. But Dale Eisler’s book takes the reader through an arc of events, international, national, and provincial, that comprehensively explains a political sea change in Saskatchewan.” —gary g. mar, qc, President and ceo of Canada West Foundation

“Weaving together the interplay of regional, national, and global issues, Dale Eisler has produced an insightful and compelling analysis of Saskatchewan’s transformation.” —the right honourable paul martin

“A very important book on the process of political change. It is history looking for answers in all the right places. A must read for Canadians struggling to understand the evolution of political leadership and influence on our lives.” —kevin page, President of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy, University of Ottawa, and former Parliamentary Budget Officer of Canada

“Dale Eisler just writes one damn good book after another.” —dylan jones, President, Pacific Economic Development Canada

“Truly excellent studies of Canadian politics and public policy are rare in Canada. Dale Eisler’s From Left to Right is one of the most insightful and informative examinations of provincial politics in years. The book focuses on the province that is, at once, among the most innovative and often ignored in the country. Eisler pulls off the near impossible, producing an examination that reveals deep understanding of provincial culture and politics, an astute analysis of changing political and economic priorities in a truly misunderstood province, and a non-partisan insider’s appreciation for the nuances of public policy and policy-making. Saskatchewan continues to outperform national expectations, despite a profound political transformation that saw the province shift from the birthplace of social democracy to the heartland of small “c” conservatism and libertarianism in Canada. The province is fortunate to have found such talented, well-informed and insightful analyst!” —ken coates, Canada Research Chair in Regional Innovation, University of Saskatchewan

“From Left to Right provides a unique perspective on how the intersection of global trends, provincial events, national policies and strong personalities have shaped (and indeed reshaped) the evolution of politics in Saskatchewan, and also informs our understanding of political developments elsewhere in Canada.” —the honourable kevin lynch, pc, oc, phd, lld

“Dale Eisler’s conclusions are sobering to those of us who seek balance at Saskatchewan’s political centre.” —lorne calvert, former premier of Saskatchewan

“Dale Eisler has done it again! In False Expectations: Politics & Pursuit of the Saskatchewan Myth he wove economics, politics, policy and history, each often alleged to be dull subjects, into a page turner. In From Left to Right, Eisler updates the story, focusing on the dramatic shift in natural governing. The story is important and interesting from the perspective of Saskatchewan, but Eisler’s insights present a much broader canvas with lessons for other jurisdictions, other political parties and policy makers everywhere. It pays to study Saskatchewan as the province has often led the rest of Canada on important policies such as Medicare and fiscal consolidation. Eisler’s analysis…serves up a master class in politics that should be studied by all. But what sets him apart as a compelling storyteller is his ability to draw out how the residents of the province were feeling about and shaping events. Economists and historians be warned, Eisler has again raised the bar on how to communicate your subjects.” —don drummond, former senior official Finance Canada, former Chief Economist and svp at td Bank, currently Stauffer-Dunning Fellow Queen’s University and Adjunct Professor McGill University

From

Left to

Right

Saskatchewan’s Political

and Economic Transformation

Dale Eisler

© 2022 University of Regina Press

All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyrights hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical—without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any request for photocopying, recording, taping, or placement in information storage and retrieval systems of any sort shall be directed in writing to Access Copyright.

Printed and bound in Canada at Imprimerie Gauvin. The text of this book is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with earth-friendly vegetable-based inks.

Cover art: Ripe ears of wheat bunch isolated on white background by Prostock-studio / AdobeStock

Cover design: Duncan Campbell, University of Regina Press

Interior layout design: John van der Woude, jvdw Designs

Copy editor: Alison Jacques

Proofreader: Alison Strobel

Indexer: Lisa Fedorak

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Title: From left to right : Saskatchewan’s political and economic transformation / Dale Eisler.

Names: Eisler, Dale, author.

Description: Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: Canadiana (print) 20210393750 | Canadiana (ebook) 20210393831 | isbn 9780889778641 (softcover) | isbn 9780889778672 (hardcover) | isbn 9780889778658 (pdf) | isbn 9780889778665 (epub)

Subjects: lcsh: Right and left (Political science)—Saskatchewan. | lcsh: Saskatchewan—Politics and government—20th century. | lcsh: Saskatchewan—Politics and government—21st century. | lcsh: Saskatchewan—Economic conditions—20th century. | lcsh: Saskatchewan—Economic conditions—21st century.

Classification: lcc fc3528.2 .e47 2022 | ddc 971.24/03—dc23

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Table of contents

• Acknowledgements