September 26, 2024 | Advertise with us

Be campaign ready.

Presented by

Beck writes open letter to federal parties outlining priorities

The opposition NDP leader in Saskatchewan took to social media to publish a letter recently addressed to the leaders of Canada’s federal political parties.

Carla Beck penned a letter dated September 8th addressed to Justin Trudeau, Pierre Poilievre, and Jagmeet Singh in reaction to the ‘collapse’ of the supply and confidence agreement and an imminent election.

The letter called for the federal carbon tax to be scrapped, adequate healthcare funding, equalization reform, and maintaining tariffs on Chinese steel. In addition, Beck called for childcare spaces to be delivered, more RCMP officers while keeping the RCMP Depot open in Regina, access to broadband expansion funding, and to push back the ‘unrealistic’ net-zero by 2035 timeline.

Beck said, “If elected to serve as the Premier of Saskatchewan this fall, my approach will be this: No matter who sits in the Prime Minister’s Office, I will always stand up for Saskatchewan people. Where we can find common ground, I will work to make the best possible deal. Where the federal government is implementing policies or making cuts that hurt Saskatchewan, I will always stand up and speak out to protect the interests of this province.”

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.

New polling continues to show a possible close election prior to kick off next week

CTV News has partnered with Insightrix Research to produce exclusive polling before the provincial election writ drop, which is expected next week.

According to polling conducted this month, 49% of decided voters say they support the incumbent Saskatchewan Party while 48% say they’ll support the Saskatchewan NDP. 4% say they’ll support a different party. Decided voters are neck and neck, reflecting previous polling data Insightrix released in July.

Director of Research for Insightrix Lang McGilp told CTV News, "Heading into this election, it's going to be different than the last few elections before it, where there was a large gap in terms of decided voter intent, given that it is really tied and we’ve seen it hold this way since April of this year. That suggests to me that opinions are fairly sort of set in amongst those who've made their choice."

The topline numbers show a close race, but depending on the area of the province, the results may not be so close. The Saskatchewan Party continues to dominate the rural areas of the province while the NDP is showing strength in the large centres like Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert.

When it comes to voter perceptions of who will win the election, 50% of people think the Saskatchewan Party will win, compared to 17% who have confidence that the NDP will win. 33% of those polled are undecided.

Support for the Saskatchewan Party in this latest Insightrix polling is in line with other recent polls from Angus Reid and Mainstreet Research, which also showed the party at ~50% approval. Insightrix does have the NDP polling higher compared to Angus Reid and Mainstreet; Mainstreet’s poll last week had the NDP at 40% approval amongst decided voters and last month Angus Reid had the NDP at 42%.

With an election call expected next week, Saskatchewan is gearing up for what is shaping up to be the closest election in over a decade.

The full story can be read here.

Sponsored by Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce

Today, join the Saskatchewan Chamber for an in-depth discussion featuring a discussion with the New Democratic Party Leader, Carla Beck, as we approach the provincial election.

Engage in an open dialogue on the key issues impacting our province, and learn about the policies and strategies proposed to drive growth and innovation.

Learn more and register here.

NDP leader Carla Beck accepts nomination in Regina

Attention all SKoop readers that ever emailed us and asked: “Why haven’t you included Carla Beck in your election candidate tracker??” Well, until now, she hadn’t officially been nominated! But that all changed last night when Beck officially accepted her party’s nomination in the constituency of Regina Lakeview.

Beck has represented Lakeview since 2016, a riding the NDP has held since 1986. Before entering provincial politics, Carla was twice elected to the Regina Public School. She also spent over twenty years working in human services including as a Senior Medical Social Worker, and as a manager at a local Women’s Shelter.

She is her party’s 54th nominated candidate and 27th female candidate. There are no other nominations scheduled, but the NDP is expected to field a full slate of candidates in the election.

Sponsored by CNIB

Councillor Randy Donauer seeking a fourth term for Saskatoon council

There will be many new faces on Saskatoon city council this fall with at least half of the council not running again. One incumbent is looking to be re-hired for his job.

Randy Donauer was first elected to Saskatoon City Council to represent Ward 5 in 2010. On a recent flyer mailed to constituents, Donauer says he “voted 95 times to reduce spending and cut taxes, including against the 2023-24 budget because tax increase was too high.”

Donauer’s other priorities for re-election include crime and safety, fiscal responsibility, roads, snow removal, and core services.

Ward 5 includes the northern part of Saskatoon, including the neighbourhoods of Lawson Heights, Silversrping, Silverwood, University Heights, and the Airport.

Over the summer, Donauer was named in a $25 million class-action lawsuit against the Legacy Christian Academy. He filed an affidavit denying any allegations.

As of now, Donauer is currently running unopposed. In the 2020 election, Donauer received more votes than any other winning councillor.

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 Regina Douglas Park. This urban riding contains the neighbourhoods of Arnheim Place, Gladmer Park, Al Ritchie, Assiniboia East and Boot Hill.

The incumbent: Nicole Sarauer was first elected MLA in 2016. Before being elected, she provided free legal representation to those in need and served as a Trustee on the Regina Catholic School Board.

The challenger: Ken Gray is the former leader of the Saskatchewan Progressive Conservative Party. He previously worked for the Saskatoon Health Region for 17 years. In 2013, Grey moved to Regina and started a career as a bus operator for the Regina Paratransit System.

The takeaway: This is a safe NDP seat. The NDP has consistently won this riding for decades except for a brief blip when former NDP leader Dwain Lingenfelter lost his own seat in 2011 to the Saskatchewan Party’s Russ Marchuk. Sarauer is the former interim leader of the NDP and is very likely to win re-election.

Sponsored by Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan

More news and info

• 'Education over indoctrination': Regina's RCAAN backs candidates who promote 'family' values (CBC News)

• Saskatchewan NDP promises a 24-hour ER department at Saskatoon City Hospital (Global News)

• Bloc threatens to push for an early election if government doesn't top up pensions by Oct. 29 (CBC News)

2024 Election Candidate Tracker