Robert Thomas

For those of you who aren't well attuned to Saskatchewan politics, the big issue out there might be the carbon tax and the effects it's having upon gasoline prices in BC or the battle with BC over a new oil pipeline, all in the name of Climate Change.

But there is another looming iceberg out there and this one is former NDP, and now Independent MP, Erin Weir and allegations made about him and his subsequent treatment by the NDP brass. Depending on how much is hidden beneath the surface, it might well sink the NDP in the next federal election.

Although Weir represents the riding of Regina-Lewvan, the intrigue surrounding his being booted out of the NDP caucus has now spilled into the streets of Moose Jaw, er...well, Pasqua, at least. This past weekend, the NDP faithful met in Pasqua for the annual Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan riding association fundraiser and rumour has it that more than trout was on the menu.

According to some in attendance, NDP federal leader Jagmeet Singh's head should have been on the platter.

According to sources at that meeting, more than a couple expressed their anger towards NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and threw their support behind Weir.

The strange, macabre thing about it was that despite being kicked out of caucus and sitting as an Independent, Erin Weir, himself, was also in attendance.

Apparently, it's been an issue silently developing within the local ranks of the NDP old time stalwarts, as many are upset the Party chose Singh to lead the Party. The treatment of the highly popular Weir, was for some, the last straw.

I have personally spoken to people who tell me that for over 60 years they have been "proud hardcore socialists who personally knew Tommy Douglas" but in the next election they are voting for the Liberals.

In many ways it explains Justin Trudeau's two trips to Evraz Steel, located in Weir's riding. It's all about winning the middle class male/union labourer vote. These are carefully choreographed photo ops which play well in a demographic the Liberals are, according to opinion polls, losing ground on.

Caring about the workers at Evraz Steel might seem like a waste of time for the Prime Minister in Saskatchewan but the steel workers are not the prime target. The true target of Trudeau's appearances is the industrial heartland and vote rich southern Ontario.