How will the shift in Alberta impact the political landscape in Saskatchewan?

Saskatchewan voters have now been governed by a right-of-centre government for almost eight years.

That sounds like a long time, but pales in comparison to our neighbours in Alberta. They've voted time and time again for the same party, supporting a Progressive Conservative dynasty that lasted 44 years.

With Alberta under the leadership of the NDP, people in this province are now asking two important questions. First, will the NDP's surging popularity next door spill over into provincial politics in this province? The other question, will right-leaning voters be packing up to move to conservative Saskatchewan?

One man on the street CBC spoke with in Saskatoon thinks they just might.

"Well it depends what the NDP do with the corporate taxes and all that, but I think there will be people moving to Saskatchewan."

Alberta was poised for change, expert says

One thing we do know is that Albertans woke up to a new reality today. The NDP majority is a major political shift that has some people across the country scratching their heads in disbelief. Others are a little more accepting.

"I think it's wonderful. A change in the landscape is very much due," said Saskatoon resident Andrea White.

Daniel Béland is the Canada Research Chair in Public Policy at the Johnson-Shoyama School of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan.

According to Béland, voters were dissatisfied with the performance of the government. At the same time, the Wildrose Party was in a state of disarray following the defection of its former leader Danielle Smith and eight other MLAs to the PCs.

Meanwhile, Béland said voters liked what they heard from Notley, while Wildrose leader Brian Jean "was not that impressive".

It created a bandwagon effect, he added.

"Notley was able to reassure people that she was someone credible, and someone who was not a radical who would try to do things that the majority of the population would strongly oppose," Béland said.

But will that bandwagon keep on rolling right across Saskatchewan?

Federal NDP candidate weighs in

Erin Weir is running for the NDP in the next Federal Election in the Regina-Lewvan constituency. Weir is also a former member of the Alberta NDP. He thinks the NDP's big win in a conservative stronghold may convince voters to take a second look at the party in the federal election this fall.

"When you have the most conservative province in Canada electing an NDP government, I think it make it clear that the NDP is a viable option everywhere in Canada."

Weir is less convinced the 'orange surge' will have the power needed to unseat the Saskatchewan Party and the province's popular premier, Brad Wall.

Wall and the Saskatchewan Party are expected to call a provincial election next spring.