August 14, 2024 | Advertise with us

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MLAs spar over graduate retention program

Premier Scott Moe is continuing to set up for this fall’s election.

The Premier took to X to share the graphic above, touting the Graduate Rentention Program. NDP MLAs were quick on the attack and had a response of their own.

Moe said, “Thanks to initiatives like the Graduate Retention Program, more and more people are choosing to study, work, and live in Saskatchewan. This program provides up to $20,000 in tax credits to post-secondary graduates who live and work in Saskatchewan. To date, more than 80,000 graduates have benefited from this program. This is in stark contrast to the NDP, who had no such program when they were in government.”

NDP MLAs were quick to go on offense, posting an image of a Minister’s Message written by former NDP Finance Minister Andrew Thomson in 2007, when he introduced the program at the time. The Saskatchewan Party came into power later in 2007, when this program came into effect.

NDP MLA Nathaniel Teed quote tweeted the Premier, posting the image above and said, “This story again? We’ll say it again for the Sask Party MLAs in the back: It was the Sask NDP that brought in the Graduate Retention Program in the 2007 budget. The Sask Party record is historical cuts to the Advance Education budget after 17 years in power.”

NDP MLA Aleana Young did not mince words when she took to X to say, “Your own record is an embarrassment, but if this is your campaign plan, at least try not to out and out lie.”

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Sask. Party nominates a candidate for Saskatoon Centre

The Saskatchewan Party has named Dale Hrynuik the candidate for Saskatoon Centre.

Hrynuik is a businessman from Saskatoon. He is an active member in the party having previously sought the nomination in Saskatoon University-Sutherland and Saskatoon Eastview. He was named the candidate Tuesday night. There was no event scheduled on the party’s website and no accompanying news release.

Saskatoon Centre is an NDP stronghold currently represented by MLA Betty Nippi Albright, who was one of the first candidates nominated for the NDP. In 2020, the NDP won this riding with nearly 60% of the vote.

Hrynuik is the 57th candidate nominated. The Saskatchewan Party now has nominated, or scheduled meetings for 59 of the 61 constituencies. The next nomination scheduled by the Saskatchewan Party will be a contested vote in Prince Albert Carlton on August 21.

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SARM President Ray Orb to step down

The President of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities is stepping down.

Ray Orb has decided to step down as president before the end of his term, saying, “After 20 years of proudly serving SARM, the timing just feels right.” Orb, who is Reeve for the RM of Cupar, announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election and now says he will spend more time with his family.

A new president will be elected next year. In the meantime, current Vice-President Bill Huber will serve as interim president until the position is filled at the next AGM.

This is a year of change for SARM leadership. The organization’s Executive Director, Jay Meyer, also announced earlier this year that he will be leaving at the end of 2024.

Saskatoon Mayoral candidate releases statement on homelessness

The race for Mayor of Saskatoon is all but officially underway, and one candidate has made a statement on what is considered a major campaign issue, homelessness.

Cynthia Block is currently the councillor for Ward 6 which includes downtown. Block released a statement on the state of homelessness in Saskatoon saying, “The homelessness crisis is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, making it difficult for service providers and policy makers to keep pace. No Mayor or City Council is going to solve this alone. We need to work with other orders of government, community partners and residents. I don’t have all of the answers, but if we work together - all of us - I know we can find a better way forward.”

Block is proposing a Task Force on Homlessness that she says would give everyone a seat at the table and develop a city-wide strategy. Block said, “Focused on measurable outcomes and public accountability, I want the task force to signal a new direction by problem-solving with the community. I know some will say this should have been done long ago. I understand those criticisms, and I am committed to getting it right.”

The other major contender for the big chair at City Hall is former Sask. Party MLA and Attorney General of Saskatchewan Gordon Wyant. Wyant’s slogan is ‘Safe Streets, Smart Spending’ and at his campaign launch, Wyant said making all neighbourhoods safer is a top priority.

More news and info

• Trump and Musk talk assassination attempt and deportations during glitchy chat on X (CTV News)

• With Halifax cabinet retreat quickly approaching, MPs and staffers eagerly await for anticipated shuffle (The Hill Times)

• Inside the pressure campaign on Danielle Smith to make gun ownership (and more) an Alberta right (CBC News)

• Poilievre ahead of Trudeau by 15 points on preferred Prime Minister tracking (Nanos)

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