The Parties

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Saskatchewan’s Progressive Conservative party was founded in 1912. In the early part of its history, the party faced significant challenges gaining popular support in a province heavily dominated by two parties – the Liberals and CCF/NDP.

In the beginning, the party changed its name to appeal to the broader public. The party, led by Frederick W. A. G. Haultain, was registered as Provincial Rights Party and fielded candidates in the 1905 and 1908 election. The entity changed its name back to the Conservative Party for the 1912 election.

The party formed government for the first time in 1929. After winning the second-most seats in the 1929 election, the Liberal government was defeated in a motion of no confidence. The Conservatives were able to form a coalition government with support from the Progressive Party and independent MLAs. The one-term Conservative government was swept from power in 1934, winning zero seats.

The Progressive Conservatives would win a total of eight seats in the elections held between 1934 and 1982. Under Grant Devine, the party’s fortunes changed, jumping from zero seats in the legislature to 55 and forming a majority government with a landslide victory in 1982. The party secured another majority mandate in the next election winning 38 seats but was reduced to 10 seats in 1991. The 1995 election saw their seat count halved, winning just 5 seats.

In 1997, the remaining Progressive Conservative MLAs left the party and helped form the Saskatchewan Party. Since then, the Progressive Conservatives have not held a seat in the provincial legislature. Currently, the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party is Ken Grey.

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