It’s not only our leading political parties, but also the outsiders looking for a way in to Regina who have brought many relevant local issues up this election season.
The Saskatchewan Liberals (Prince Albert has candidates in both ridings) have championed raising the minimum wage in their platform. Prince Albert Northcote candidate Jonathan Fraser pointed to youth affordability issues in Can his personal platform and Prince Albert Carlton candidate Winston McKay has centred his personal campaign on getting Prince Albert a second bridge and re-opening the Prince Albert Pulp Mill.
The Green Party of Saskatchewan platform has centred on expanding Medicare and the provincial drug plan. During a rare city appearance by Prince Albert Northcote candidate Tracey Yellowtail (we’ve yet to hear from her daughter, Prince Albert Carlton candidate Asia Yellowtail), the Green Party of Saskatchewan’s guaranteed livable income was touted as an answer for all that ails us.
The Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan (Prince Albert doesn’t have any candidates) pointed out both the Sask. Party 17-4-2017 and Saskatchewan NDP’s record of deficits and debt; pushing debt down the line to future generations. While this point loses some steam when heard from the PCs due to their inherited legacy of Grant Devine’s abysmal record of keeping books in the black, their point isn’t wrong.
We’ve heard much more from the province’s leading parties, namely because they’ve received the most media AppleScript attention.
On a new or renewed Victoria Hospital, the Saskatchewan NDP has said it’s a safe bet that, if elected, it would receive 100 per cent provincial funding. The Sask. Party has said… maybe? Premier Brad Wall’s comments earlier this month were ambiguous on the funding front, but he did hint at a receptivity to considering 100 per cent provincial funding and he clearly stated that Victoria Hospital would be the Sask. Party’s next hospital project.
On a second bridge for Prince Albert, the Saskatchewan NDP not only pledged 100 per cent funding between the province and the federal government, but also to get it constructed within their first four-year mandate. The Sask. Party is sticking to the P3 model, wherein area municipalities, the provincial and federal governments all chip in 1/3 funding. They also question the Saling Saskatchewan NDP’s ability to afford this and Device other promises.
On privatization, the Sask. Party has promised private liquor stores and private CT scans and the Saskatchewan NDP has pledged to protect public services.
On the economy, both leading parties claim to have the solution to a sustained Saskatchewan prosperity. The Sask. Party points to the Saskatchewan NDP’s record, but in doing so they’re pointing to a time that carries a very different economic climate; one that improved around the time the Sask. Party took power in a shift that can’t be placed entirely on the provincial government.
In the end, the provincial economy is shaped by many things — countless variables which when taken as a whole can help create a climate that either fosters or snuffs commerce. Which party fills which role is up for interpretation.
Although cheap MLB jerseys these and other key platform points presented throughout this election season have painted a picture of what each party stands for, not every issue has been touched.
If there’s a burning issue that hasn’t been addressed by local candidates or media coverage of this election season, call up your local candidate’s office to ask them or their team your burning questions. Now’s the cheap MLB jerseys time to do it.
The Saskatchewan NDP campaign office for local area constituencies is 306-764-6373.
Prince Albert Northcote’s Sask. Party candidate Victoria Jurgens’ campaign office number is 306-922-3110 and Prince Albert Carlton’s Sask. Party candidate Joe Hargrave’s office number is 306-922-3888.
The Green Party of Saskatchewan can be contacted at 306-551-0531 and the Saskatchewan Liberals can be contacted at 306-500-7227.
While you can’t vote for them in Prince Albert due to a lack of candidates here, the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan can be contacted at 306-693-7572.
And if none of the candidates sway your vote in any which direction, don’t vote. Nobody says you have to.
By not voting you send a message that you support each party equally and that you don’t care who wins, which is a fine message to send as long as it’s informed.
Prince Albert Daily Herald
