Article content

The Liberals and NDP will have little time to prepare campaigns in most of Saskatchewan’s federal ridings, as each party has nominated just six candidates with weeks to go until election day.

That’s far fewer than the Conservatives and People’s Party, which have full slates of candidates in the province’s 14 ridings. The Greens are also further ahead with nine candidates, according to that party’s press secretary.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Liberals and NDP lag in choosing Sask. candidates as election looms Back to video

One Liberal riding chair blamed the delay on a lack of interest from candidates, while another said the party has been slow approving nomination papers. Reina Sinclair, chairwoman of Regina—Qu’Appelle’s Liberal riding association, said the lost time will hinder an eventual candidate’s ability to raise money and connect with voters.

“It’s really frustrating for us too, let me tell you,” said Sinclair.

A University of Regina political scientist said the delays could stem from weak local organizations in long-shot ridings that are low on the priority list for the national campaigns.He said the slow start will put fresh NDP and Liberal candidates at a “huge” disadvantage.