Carla Beck
MLA
Leader of the Opposition in Saskatchewan
Assumed office
June 26, 2022
Preceded byRyan Meili
Leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
Assumed office
June 26, 2022
Preceded byRyan Meili
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for Regina Lakeview
Assumed office
April 4, 2016
Preceded byJohn Nilson
Personal details
BornWeyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada
Political partyNew Democratic Party
SpouseGuy Marsden
Children3
ResidenceRegina, Saskatchewan
EducationUniversity of Regina
ProfessionAssistant executive director, social worker
PortfolioEducation, Labour, Childcare, Early Learning

Carla Beck is a Canadian politician who has served as leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party since 2022.[1] She was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in the 2016 provincial election.[2] She represents the electoral district of Regina Lakeview.

Background and education

Beck was born in Weyburn and grew up on a mixed farm near Lang, Saskatchewan.[3] She attended elementary school in Lang and high school in the neighbouring community of Milestone.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Regina in 1998. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Regina in 2004.

Career

Beck has been the NDP Education critic during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan.[4] Prior to entering politics, Beck was the assistant executive director at a Regina women's shelter. A registered social worker, she has over 20 years’ experience in that field, including work with Dales House, the Paul Dojack Centre, and the Regina General Hospital’s Women and Children’s Team.

Beck has been an active volunteer and leader in the community including work with the Sask. Abilities Council, Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism, Saskatchewan Action Committee—Status of Women, Camp Easter Seal, Autism Resource Centre, the help line at Regina Sexual Assault Centre, MS Society, Cathedral Village Arts Festival, Cathedral Area Community Association, soccer, softball, baseball, hockey, and FADA Dance.[5]

Beck was a founding member and spokesperson for RealRenewal, a Regina coalition of parents and community members formed in December in response to the Regina Public School Board’s 10-Year Renewal Plan to close up to 16 inner city schools.[6]  As a member of the School Community Council at Connaught, she organized a walking school bus and walk to school event to draw attention to the benefits of local neighbourhood schools. She also served as a board member for two community preschools.

In 2009, Beck was elected as the Trustee for Subdivision 5 on Regina Public School Board and was subsequently re-elected for a second term in 2012.[7]  During her tenure on the school board, she served as Vice-Chair and as the chair of the audit and policy committee.

In 2015, Beck won a contested NDP nomination race for the constituency of Regina Lakeview.[8]  She subsequently was elected to the Legislative Assembly in the 2016 provincial election, winning 56.49% of the vote.[9] In the 2020 provincial election, Beck was re-elected by a wider margin with 65.47% of the vote in Regina Lakeview.[10]

Beck has served as the Opposition critic for Education, Early Learning and Child Care since 2016. She is also currently serves as the Opposition Caucus Chair and the critic for Labour.  Beck also previously served as Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

Following the resignation of Cam Broten as the Saskatchewan NDP leader following the provincial election in 2016, Beck was considered as a possible leadership candidate. She confirmed her decision not to enter the race on June 22, 2017.

On March 3, 2022, Beck announced her candidacy in the 2022 Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leadership election.[11] As party members met in Regina on June 26, 2022, Beck became the party's first elected female leader.[12]

Electoral results

2020 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Lakeview
Party Candidate Votes%±%
New DemocraticCarla Beck4,73965.48+9.00
SaskatchewanMegan Patterson2,19430.31-4.88
GreenMichael Wright2022.79-0.46
LiberalBruno Sahut1031.42-3.64
Total valid votes 7,23899.23
Total rejected ballots 560.77–
Turnout 7,29459.49–
Eligible voters 12,260
New Democratic hold Swing –
Source: Elections Saskatchewan
2016 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Lakeview
Party Candidate Votes%±%
New DemocraticCarla Beck4,35856.48+8.10
SaskatchewanDan Cooper2,71535.19-11.37
LiberalStewart Kerr3915.06-
GreenLarry Neufeld2513.25-1.81
Total valid votes 7,715  99.98  
Eligible voters –
New Democratic hold Swing –
Source: Elections Saskatchewan[13][14]

References

  1. ↑ "Sask. NDP elects Carla Beck as first female leader of party". Regina. 2022-06-26. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  2. ↑ "Saskatchewan election: Big wins and losses". CBC News, April 5, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Beck". www.legassembly.sk.ca. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  4. ↑ "Carla Beck addresses rising youth COVID-19 rates in Saskatchewan | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  5. ↑ "Carla Beck MLA for Regina Lakeview & Caucus Chair". Saskatchewan NDP Caucus. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  6. ↑ "About". 2011-12-01. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  7. ↑ "Beck". www.legassembly.sk.ca. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  8. ↑ Martens, Linsay (February 24, 2015). "Regina Lakeview New Democrats nominate Carla Beck". Saskatchewan NDP. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  9. ↑ "2016 Statement of Votes Volume 1.pdf" (PDF). Elections Saskatchewan. p. 185.
  10. ↑ "2020-Statement-of-Votes-Volume-1-web-viewing.pdf" (PDF). Elections Saskatchewan. p. 185.
  11. ↑ "Carla Beck becomes first Sask. NDP to announce leadership run | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
  12. ↑ "Sask. NDP elects Carla Beck as first female leader of party". Regina. 2022-06-26. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  13. ↑ "Register of Official Candidates by Constituency - March 19 - FINAL" (PDF). Elections Saskatchewan. 19 March 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  14. ↑ "2016 General Election Results". Elections Saskatchewan. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
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