CANORA - The campaign for the 2024 Provincial Election in the Canora-Pelly riding unofficially kicked off with the Canora NDP Fundraiser Barbecue at King George Park on Aug. 20. In addition to speeches from Regina NDP MLAs Trent Wotherspoon and Jared Clarke, the receptive audience also heard from Carla Beck, Saskatchewan NDP Leader, and had the opportunity to meet and listen to Wynn Fedorchuk, the Canora-Pelly candidate.
The Pelly native explained why he was the best candidate for Canora-Pelly voters to support.
“It’s time for change,” said Fedorchuk. “The Sask Party has represented this riding for 20-plus years. They have stopped fighting for votes and listening to Saskatchewan families. The NDP, on the other hand, is all about listening.”
Fedorchuk thanked everyone for coming out to the barbecue and showing their support for the NDP.
“Why are we here? We’re here because the NDP has so much to celebrate. It’s been 80 years since Tommy Douglas took office. We’re still fighting for what he believed in.”
Fedorchuk admitted that when he was first approached, it seemed like an intimidating challenge to be the NDP candidate for Canora-Pelly.
“I was 27 years old, and I’m obviously an underdog,” he admitted. “I wasn’t so sure, but I listened to Carla Beck speak and met the whole NDP team. That made we want to try.”
Fedorchuk said he is enjoying the challenge.
“The NDP is all about listening. I enjoy spreading the message of hope and being the voice of hope, representing the people I grew up with and who helped me grow in my hometown of Pelly and across the constituency.”
Edgar Thorson of Preeceville, a long-time NDP supporter, spoke about the 80-year history of the NDP, previously the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, in Saskatchewan.
“Tommy Douglas took power in Saskatchewan in 1944,” said Thorson. “I remember walking the two-and-a-half miles to school as a boy. I remember a girl came running up a hill one time, really excited because, ‘My parents are going to vote CCF!’
“I remember my dad picked up our neighbour and travelled around the riding, canvassing for support for Myron Feeley, who represented the riding from 1938-1948. He was one of the best men I’ve ever known.”
Thorson shared his memories of marching through the streets of Saskatoon in support of Medicare as it was being established, and reminded his audience, “Saskatchewan would not have Medicare if it wasn’t for the NDP.”
He closed by leading the supporters in a rousing chant of “We will Wynn, We will Wynn.”
Carla Beck took over the podium and shared that, “It’s a pleasure to serve with Wynn and the entire NDP team. We’re all out there doing you proud and putting in the work, talking about potential and opportunities all across this province.
“We see Scott Moe and the Sask Party making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Saskatchewan used to lead in education and we’re the birthplace of Medicare. But now we're in last place in both education and health care.”
“It’s time for change. We have just under 70 days until the next election. Let’s make history, Canora-Pelly.”
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