There was no shortage of Northwest-area representation at the New Democratic Party provincial convention in Saskatoon March 8 to 10.
Delegates from the Battlefords, Cut Knife-Turtleford, and other surrounding ridings were among those voting on resolutions and other party business, most important of which was the election of the new party leader.
Saskatoon MLA Cam Broten won the leadership of the NDP in a contest decided on the second ballot by only a 44-vote margin over Ryan Meili.
One of those Northwest delegates who backed Broten all the way in his leadership bid was Len Taylor, the former longtime MP and MLA from the Battlefords.
Taylor made no secret about his support for Broten, as he was seen wearing an orange Broten scarf and buttons inside the convention hall.
Taylor had gone public with his endorsement of Broten very early in the campaign. He told the Regional Optimist he knew he would support Broten even "before Cam had made the decision himself to enter the race," he said.
Taylor spoke highly of Broten from the days when they were both colleagues in the legislature from 2007 to 2011.
"From the day Cam entered the caucus and the legislature, I was impressed with his ability to understand issues, to represent people," said Taylor.
"Probably within days of meeting Cam around the caucus table, I concluded that one day this young man was going to serve the province in a bigger capacity."
Taylor adds that in the legislature itself, Broten took on some difficult ministers and "challenged them regularly during the time I was in the legislature."
He described how Broten challenged then minister Rob Norris on regional college issues and also mentioned his tireless work on committees.
Once it became clear there was going to be another leadership contest after the party's defeat in the 2011 election, Taylor said his first thought was for Broten to take over.
"He is a bright individual, he's got an understanding of this province from north, south, east and west. He is well respected in his constituency and in other areas where he has been."
"There was no doubt in my mind this was an individual who could pull a lot of people together," said Taylor. "I was sold on Cam from day one."
Taylor said he was proud of the campaign Broten put forward, but added he was impressed with the presentations at the convention of all three candidates, including Ryan Meili and Trent Wotherspoon.
While his first choice was Broten, Taylor made clear before results were announced that he would support whoever ended up winning the leadership contest.
Another Northwest-area NDP activist at the convention was Battlefords provincial constituency president Kent Lindgren.
Lindgren was active during the leadership contest, but in a more neutral capacity. He was moderator for the all-candidates forum held in North Battleford in January, one of 14 held by the party across the province.
Like Taylor, Lindgren was encouraged by the significant number of young people at the convention, as well as by the policies put forward by all the leadership candidates.
"We have three really great candidates who brought a lot to the table, brought really good ideas, and for me as a young person, some ideas that really resonate with things that are important to me. Things about job creation, things about daycare," said Lindgren.
He added the ideas brought forward "can really build some momentum for us to go forward."
