LUMSDEN — Sask. United Party (SUP) supporters and candidates began clapping and cheering enthusiastically as party leader Jon Hromek took to the stage to address the results of the Oct. 28 provincial election.
Speaking inside the Lumsden Hotel and Steak Pit restaurant, Hromek was subdued, likely because his party failed to win one seat — he placed third in the Lumsden-Morse constituency — despite polling suggesting that the party could win one or two ridings.
“Obviously we didn’t get the results that we were hoping for, but that’s OK because I know all of the hard work and all of the sacrifice that has gone into this,” he said. “And I appreciate all of our candidates, all of our donors (and) all of the people that have stepped up that want to bring change to this province.”
Even though it has no seats, the Sask. United Party has changed the province ideologically because of issues that the Sask. Party (SP) has adopted, Hromek noted. This includes Bill 137, the parental rights bill, and the SP’s commitment during the election to ban biological boys from biological girls’ changerooms.
“That (safe changeroom spaces idea) was ours,” the SUP leader said to enthusiastic cheering.
Hromek understood that it took courage for people to step up to be candidates and do something they likely thought they would never do. He knew that trepidation posed a challenge for some and was difficult for others.
The SUP leader acknowledged the sacrifices his family made for him during this time, highlighting how his daughter always reminded him that he had a town hall to attend most evenings.
“But, you know, this province is worth it (and) the people are worth it. And we’re just going to keep working,” Hromek said to applause.
Hromek reminded the crowd that it is challenges and defeats — and not necessarily successes — that help a person grow. Moreover, after those defeats, people must shake off the dust from their boots, stand up and “keep truckin’ along.”
“And that’s what we need to do because what we stand for … is worth fighting for. So don’t ever let anyone convince you otherwise because it’s worth fighting for,” he continued to enthusiastic applause. “And if we weren’t fighting for it, then who would?”
Hromek thought the party ran a great race, exerted enormous effort, and did not compromise on its values or principles, which he said was particularly important since their cause would be lost otherwise.
During a media scrum afterward, Hromek said he was disappointed with how he and his party finished, especially since its candidates gave their all. Moreover, he was shocked to finish third since he finished second during the 2023 byelection, while internal polling and conversations with voters suggested there was more support.
However, he was still pleased with how hard the SUP worked during the campaign.
“The results are the results and that’s OK. In any competition, that’s just how it works. So I think we can hold our head high and be proud of ourselves with what we accomplished,” he said.
While SUP failed to have one person elected to the Saskatchewan legislature, Hromek noted that there is an appetite for change in the province based on what he and his party heard on the doorsteps.
He pointed out that NDP leader Carla Beck pushed hard on the theme of change, while Sask. Party leader Scott Moe used “the old adage” to not vote split. Both of those calls, Hromek said, proved to be effective.
“It is disappointing (that residents didn’t vote for change). To do the same thing over and over and expect a different result, that’s never really worked well in history,” he added. “But … we just gotta … keep growing our base and keep growing our support and go from there.”
