Divided – Populism, Polarization and Politics in the New Saskatchewan

Over the past decade, a climate of polarization and hyper-partisanship has swept Saskatchewan into a near-perpetual state of anger and social division. Embers of discontent have been fanned into flames by opportunistic politicians and their industry cronies, who have together sought to rebrand the province into a materialistic, macho alter-ego called the New Saskatchewan.

These actions are not without consequences. In Divided, diverse voices describe the impact on their lives and communities when simmering wedge issues burst open on social media and in public spaces.

The collection dives deep into the long set-up to this moment, from the colonial past to the four decades of neoliberal economics that have widened social and economic gaps across all sectors. Divided positions Saskatchewan as a fascinating and unexpected case study of the global trends of division and provides testament to the resiliency of a vision of social solidarity against all odds.