A fiercely contested provincial election delivered a political thriller during late autumn of 2003. On Nov. 5, Premier Lorne Calvert led the New Democratic Party to a razor-thin majority government victory, defying early opinion polls that predicted a conservative breakthrough.
The campaign focused on public health care protection, youth retention, and the management of major Crown corporations.
Calvert’s late-campaign push resonated strongly with urban voters and traditional rural strongholds, securing 30 of the 58 seats in the legislature.
The November electoral victory extended the party's long tenure in government for four more years, marking the final chapter of a continuous 16-year NDP administration before major political realignment swept across the province.
Learn more about 100 Years of CKRM at 620ckrm.com.
100 Years of Saskatchewan History
This article is part of a series that celebrates both the history of Saskatchewan and the 100th anniversary of one of Saskatchewan's most storied radio stations. For more key moments from the last 100 years, visit the CKRM timeline.
