Jordan McPhail was born and raised in La Ronge and served on town council for two terms. (Submitted photo/Jordan McPhail)

By Derek Cornet

provincial election

McPhail outlines promises if elected as Cumberland MLA

Oct 1, 2024 | 4:44 PM

Jordan McPhail knows he has big shoes to fill if elected to replace former long-time NDP Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette in this month’s provincial general election.

“Doyle was a very hard worker as the MLA in Cumberland,” McPhail explained.

“I think he served the constituency with honour, passion and dedication, and for me, I know I have big shoes to fill, but I also know we have an amazing team here with the Saskatchewan NDP and I am looking forward to the hard work. I hope I will do him proud as the next MLA and I hope the good people of Cumberland will give me an opportunity to serve them on Oct. 28.”

McPhail was born and raised in La Ronge and he’s a graduate of Churchill Community High School. He has worked in various trades and he spent the last decade working for SaskTel.

If elected as MLA, McPhail and the NDP promises to eliminate the provincial 15-cent gas tax for at least six months, remove PST from children’s clothes and ready-to-eat grocery items, and hire more doctors and nurses, as well as train First Nation and Métis people in that sector, to improve access to health care in northern communities.

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

12 Best Tips to Spend Less at Christmas

Nov 18, 2025

Cybercrime response

Prince Albert Police Service 'limited in scope' to properly investigate fraud crimes

Nov 17, 2025

“It is certainly our team’s goal to reach out and talk to as many people across the constituency,” McPhail added.

“We are the party that will stand and honour and respect the Treaty and inherent rights. We will work with First Nations and Métis people to deliver the priorities they let us know in our campaign. For me, I just want to say to the people of the Cumberland constituency, please see our team as the champions of your issues. That we will bring you the change you so desperately deserve.”

McPhail also pointed to the Northern Strategy released by the NDP last month, which calls for increased funding for education, investments in highway maintenance, partnering with northern leaders to improve wildfire management, and ensuring northern residents have access to training and are a part of local wildfire responses.

It also aims to improve access to culturally relevant mental health and addictions supports by scrapping the Saskatchewan Party’s $20 million Marshals Service, as well as making vacant SaskHousing units available for people needing a home, introducing rent protections for tenants, and restoring the direct payment of rent and utilities to landlords for income support clients.

McPhail, who served two terms on La Ronge municipal council, also hopes to bring that experience to the Saskatchewan Legislature.

“I know not all decisions are easy decisions,” he said.

“I’ve had tough conversations with people here in my home community and I know what it takes to serve the people of the Town of La Ronge.”

The Cumberland riding has been firmly in the hands of the NDP since 1952. Vermette, the previous MLA, had served in that position since 2008.

Other candidates running in the riding include the Saskatchewan Party’s Gregory Seib and the Green Party’s Siwichis Bird-Paddy.

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com