August 30, 2024 | Advertise with us

Be campaign ready.

Presented by

Party leaders hold duelling press conferences

This week featured press conferences from both official party leaders, signalling the end of summer and a sign that pre-writ activity may, finally, officially kick off.

Premier Scott Moe held a press conference in Regina to announce the new Regina General Hospital parkade has surpassed 80% completion and is on track to finish this fall.

Moe said “This is our record of investing, of creating, doing what we can to work with industry partners across this province to ensure that we have a strong and vibrant economy so that we can make investments just like this. If you let that strong and vibrant economy slip, and I would suggest that’s what a federal Liberal and NDP government are doing from time to time and what an NDP government would do in this province, would let that economy slip and these investments would no longer be available.”

At the event, Moe called on the federal government to help cover the costs of Regina’s new aquatic centre and Saskatoon’s future arena. When asked when the writ will be dropped, Moe said voters can expect an announcement ‘soon.’

The NDP leader also held a presser in Regina. Carla Beck was joined by Evraz steelworkers and union members to reiterate her ‘Hire Saskatchewan’ plan. Beck said, “Our steel industry should be booming but instead we’ve seen 500 layoffs and uncertainty. We’re the only plant in North America certified to build hydrogen pipe. I want us to be a world leader. Let's revitalize Sask-made manufacturing, secure new contracts, and create more jobs.”

In a video posted to X, Beck said, “We’re falling behind our trade partners because Justin Trudeau and Scott Moe are failing to protect Saskatchewan workers.” Beck committed to protecting the Evraz plant in Regina and keeping the jobs in Saskatchewan.

Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association

Learn more about the great work the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association and its members are doing at saskheavy.ca.

Poilievre asks Singh to initiate a fall election

Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has written an open letter to federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh accusing him of ‘selling out’ for his pension.

Poilievre is asking Singh to withdraw from the ‘costly coalition’ between the NDP and Liberals. He said, “Pull out of the costly coalition and vote non-confidence in the government this September to trigger a carbon tax election in October of THIS YEAR. Or you will forever be known as "Sell-Out Singh!”

Polievre’s call for an election come when the polling aggregate has his Conservative party well ahead, in some cases by more than 20%, and on track to a majority government with the potential to win over 200 of the 343 seats. According to newly released Leger polling, the Conservatives are at 43%, the Liberals are at 25% and the NDP is at 15%.

If the election is held after October 27, 2025, eighty MPs elected in 2019 would qualify for their pensions after six years of service.

Earlier this week the Liberal Party told reporters they expect the NDP to remain in the confidence and supply agreement until next June.

With provincial elections in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick scheduled for October, Singh is unlikely to force an early election and hinder the chances of NDP candidates running provincially. The federal NDP did not rule it out, simply stating that Singh and the NDP could withdraw at any time.

NDP, nurses union raise concerns over healthcare

Saskatchewan NDP MLA and health critic Vicki Mowat held a press conference in Saskatoon this week prompted by a Twitter post from the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses.

Mowat said conditions are worse now than when nurses protested last November. “Healthcare workers have been given no other choice but to treat people in hallways and ambulatory care, in violation of the fire code. The health-care workers we are hearing from are scared that someone is going to die in the waiting room before they can get care.”

The message from SUN said 42 patients were waiting for beds upstairs at the Royal University Hospital while five additional consults were set to be admitted with nowhere to go. The text said there were 12 beds in hallways, including “combative patients” and multiple patients restrained and going through withdrawal.

Mowat said the NDP have a plan to establish a nursing task force to hear directly from the frontlines.

Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Andrew Will says the system sees fluctuations and recognizes that now may be a peak time. Health Minister Everett Hindley responded to questions at Moe’s Wednesday presser saying the system ‘ebbs and flows’ and “It doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to see changes and improvements overnight, but I think it’s all part of a process. It’s why we’re working closely with groups like the Saskatchewan Medical Association to try and address some of those challenges.”

According to both Insightrix and Angus Reid polling, healthcare remains a top issue for Saskatchewan voters. With just eight weeks left until voting and an election campaign that could be called in the next few weeks, campaigns will continue to be focused on healthcare.

Sponsored by Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan

Constituency Profile Series: Sponsored by Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA)

SUMA represents over 80% of Saskatchewan residents —cities, towns, villages, resort villages, and northern municipalities—that come together as one urban voice.

We’ve been here since 1905, advancing collective member interests with various government bodies, improving local governance, and fostering municipal growth. We are the urban hubs where you live, work, and play. We're where your children go to school, where you attend medical appointments at the clinic, and where you stop for coffee.

We are URBAN. To learn more visit www.suma.org.

Each week leading up to the 2024 election, The SKoop Political Briefing will highlight a constituency that has nominated a candidate from at least both major parties. Today, we look at Prince Albert Carlton. This is one of the two constituencies up for grabs in PA and with no incumbent, this will be one to watch.

The incumbent (party): Kevin Kasun is the Saskatchewan Party candidate. Kasun has previously worked in the transportation industry, starting in trucking before moving to the rail industry where he became a locomotive engineer.  After moving to Prince Albert, he began working with Canada Post and Correctional Service Canada.

The challenger: Carolyn Brost Strom is the NDP candidate who is very active in the community and online. She has been an active nurse for over 20 years. She won a contested nomination last year.

The takeaway: This is likely a tossup. The Sask. Party has won this riding every election since 2007, but the incumbent Joe Hargrave is not running again and Brost and the NDP have their sights set on flipping PA orange. Carlton has sent a representative to the government benches every election since 1991.

More news and info

• Sask. NDP leader Carla Beck launches campaign with tax freeze pledge (Saskatoon StarPhoenix)

• Saskatchewan schools ensuring pronoun law followed as classes resume (CKOM News)

• Saskatoon Council moves forward with $1.22B arena funding plan (CKOM News)

• First Nations leaders demand end to federal, provincial taxation of their people (CBC Saskatchewan)

• RCMP charge Macklin fire department member in connection with suspected hay bale arsons (CBC Saskatchewan)

2024 Election Candidate Tracker