Quashing rumours: Goodale nomination confirmed for election

Rumours have been swirling in the Regina-Wascana riding as the fall election creeps closer: Will the long-time MP, Ralph Goodale, try to continue his reign in the seat?

Goodale has said previously that he’s running, but some political watchers were skeptical. On Tuesday night, Goodale squashed the rumours definitively, with an event announcing the confirmation of his uncontested nomination for the Liberal Party in that riding in the 2019 election.

Speaking to media later, Goodale explained his continued run by saying there’s more to do.

“There are a whole range of things that I’ve been working on that have been of assistance to Saskatchewan, driving the economy forward …,” he said. “A lot of good progress has been made but there is always some important things that remain to be done.”

Goodale talked about big project possibilities on the horizon, mentioning the South Saskatchewan River Project — something he says he has been working on for a while.

“It’s those sorts of exciting things about Saskatchewan’s future, the potential that is there to do some really large, transformational things, that will make the future for this province so much bigger and bolder and brighter — it’s that kind of thing that excites me about running and seizing the opportunity,” he said.

Goodale is nearly an institution in the Regina-Wascana riding, holding the seat since 1993. He has been the minister for various files in the federal cabinet while the Liberals have been in power; he’s currently the public safety minister.

There are only two challengers to Goodale on the ballot thus far: Michael Kram for the Conservative Party and Mario Milanovski for Maxine Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada.

The federal election is set to take place on or before Oct. 21.