Constituency Profile: Last Mountain-Touchwood

Last Mountain-Touchwood constituency is outlined in red on the map above.

For more information on the Last Mountain-Touchwood constituency, please click on this link.

The Last Mountain-Touchwood constituency was considered a bellwether riding in Saskatchewan politics until recently, and remains one of the most politically active regions in rural Saskatchewan. This constituency was formed in 1975 from the merger of the old Last Mountain and Touchwood constituencies. This seat now stretches from the eastern shore of Last Mountain lake to the western outskirts of Melville.

Important figures from the former Last Mountain constituency include Liberal MLA Sam Latta and Russ Brown with the CCF. Notable MLAs from Touchwood include Tom Johnston of the CCF and Liberal George Trapp.

The first MLA for Last Mountain-Touchwood was elected in the historic 1975 provincial election. Gordon MacMurchy of the NDP was actually first elected in Last Mountain in 1971. In 1975 he cruised to an easy victory. MacMurchy served in cabinet for the full 11 years that the Blakeney New Democrats were in power, including the powerful post of Minister of Agriculture. MacMurchy was re-elected in 1978 but lost in 1982 during the "Monday Night Massacre" along with most of his New Democrat colleagues. The new MLA in 1982 was Progressive Conservative Arnold Tusa of Cupar. Tusa became Speaker of the Legislature in 1986. It should be noted here that a good many past MLAs for this constituency have served as Speaker. Tusa was defeated in 1991 by New Democrat Dale Flavel of Silton. Flavel was re-elected in 1995 but lost in 1999 when the NDP base in Rural Saskatchewan collapsed. Flavel was defeated by Saskatchewan Party candidate Glen Hart of Cupar. Hart's re-election in 2003 ended Last Mountain-Touchwood's reputation as a bellwether constituency. Hart was easily re-elected in 2007 and in spite of a stiff challenge to his nomination, Hart is back in this election and is seeking re-election.

In 2007, Hart won with 60 percent of the vote compared to 31 percent for the NDP candidate. Without a Liberal candidate in Last Mountain-Touchwood this time, and given the momentum behind the Sask Party, it is very likely that Hart will be re-elected on November 7, perhaps in the neighbourhood of 65 to 70 percent of the vote.