Emokhare Paul Anthony
Daily Herald.
Lawyer and veteran Doug Racine will represent the NDP in Saskatchewan Rivers next provincial election after winning the nomination by acclamation on Wednesday, July 24.
“I am honoured to have the support and the trust of the members here in Sask Rivers,” said Racine. “I am proud to stand with Carla Beck and am ready to form a government that will ensure a robust education for our children,
a dependable healthcare system, and safe communities.
Doug Racine served 12 years in the military, including a peacekeeping tour.He then completed a law degree and practiced law for 25 years.
Racine is the founder of the Aboriginal Law Group. He resides in Saskatchewan Rivers with his wife Cindy. They have two adult children.
NDP leader Carla Beck welcomed Racine into the NDP fold.
“I am so glad to have an experienced leader like Doug as our candidate here in Saskatchewan Rivers,” Beck said in a press release. “With his
experience, I know that Doug is a fighter and will stand up for the people of Saskatchewan Rivers and bring a strong voice for rural Saskatchewan at the legislature in Regina,”
Racine is the 45th candidate nominated for the Saskatchewan NDP. In his acceptance speech, he said healthcare, education, and affordability would be the three pillars of his campaign.
Racine said it’s disturbing to hear so many stories of Saskatchewan residents struggling to pay bills because the cost of living has increased so much. He said too many residents are relying on food banks to make ends meet.
He also said he’s concerned about classroom sizes in Saskatchewan. He said the large class sizes are placing an impossible burden on the province’s teachers, and it’s burning them out. He said the current government policy shows “blatant disrespect” for students and teachers.
Racine told party members in attendance that many Saskatchewan Rivers residents feel unheard, and disrespected by Premier Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Party.
“The future looks pretty grim for another four years of the Sask. Party,” Racine said during his acceptance speech. “Every time I look at my grandchild, I know why I’m knocking on doors, and I want to give the Saskatchewan voter an option … because they’re not being listened to.”
During an interview afterwards, Racine said he appreciated having the responsibility of representing the NDP in the next election.
“It’s a tremendous amount of responsibility now moving forward and getting out there and really bringing this victory home,” Racine said. “I’ve got a lot of work to do. The responsibility is overwhelming, but I’m going to rise to the occasion and I”m going to get it done.”
Racine will face Saskatchewan Party nominee Eric Schmalz and former Saskatchewan Party member and current Saskatchewan United Party MLA Nadine Wilson in the election.
When asked about a potential vote split in the riding, Racine said his campaign would not rest on that possibility.
“We have to do a lot of hard work,” he said. “We’ve got to get out there and make sure the people understand that we’re listening. The way I focus on it, it’s not so much about ‘oh, there’s going to be a split, maybe I can relax.’ It’s about getting out there and letting Saskatchewan People know is Sask. Rivers that we’re listening, and we’re going to come forward with policies and legislation that’s going to make their life easier.”
The 2024 Saskatchewan provincial election must be held on or before Oct. 28.
—with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald
