Acting Leader John Nilson showed the importance of teamwork at the 2012 Saskatchewan NDP Convention on Saturday.

The lights shone orange and Raise a Little Hell pumped out of the speakers as the team of nine MLAs ran to the stage at TCU Place.

"We've been working together as a team and as a team you recognize that everybody has something to contribute," said Nilson.

That teamwork was shown as MLAs Danielle Chartier and Buckley Belanger shared the address with Nilson. He said that even though they are only nine they are willing to work through the night.

"We know that as New Democrats we are here to stay and to make sure that this province is ours for the long term," Nilson said during his speech.

All three spoke of the NDP moving forward. Nilson said that a big step will be getting a new leader.

"We are moving forward within the party in electing new leadership. We are at a time where there is a bit of a changing of the guard... its a time for some change," he said.

The leadership race has not officially begun but Nilson said he could see people putting out "feelers".

"There are some that are interested or testing the waters. We have people who have run before for the party... we have nine members in our caucus... I think my job is to encourage as many people to be involved as possible," he said.

The convention will end Sunday.

KMalone@Rawlco.com