REGINA - The 2024 Saskatchewan provincial election campaign is both on and not on at the same time these days.
Politicians continue criss-crossing the province making pre-election announcements, even though Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty has yet to officially call the 2024 provincial election expected to be held Oct. 28.
It also has been a study in contrasts, with New Democrats already campaigning while members of the Saskatchewan Party cabinet have been continuing to make a host of government spending announcements.
One of the major focuses this week has been public safety. Minister of Public Safety Paul Merriman has appeared in several Saskatchewan communities this week, making multiple announcements on $17.1 million the government is committing towards a multi-ministry approach to safer communities and neighborhoods.
On Monday, Merriman was in Regina announcing $3.8 million in funding towards 32 new frontline officers for the Regina Police Service.
Later that same day Merriman was in Moose Jaw, where he announced $952,000 to hire eight new police officers for that police force. He also made announcements Wednesday in Weyburn of $238,000 to hire two new officers for Weyburn Police Services, and announced $357,000 in Estevan for three new officers for that police service.
This flurry of announcements of more money for police officers comes on the heels of the NDP’s announcement August 30, in which they called for the scrapping of the Marshals Service and for the hiring of more local police officers.
Health care has also been a focus this week, with Health Minister Everett Hindley announcing Wednesday a pilot project to expand the scope of pharmacists to be able to treat strep throat and ear infections.
Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill has been at education-related announcements including the selection of the location for new joint use elementary and high schools in east Regina.
Other ministers including Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport Laura Ross, Minister of Trade and Export Development Jeremy Harrison, and Advanced Education Minister Colleen Young have also been making various announcements in the past number of days around the province.
This week, Premier Scott Moe was in Biggar at the announcement Monday of a partnership to develop two new group homes for 10 people with intellectual disabilities. On Wednesday, Moe was at the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show, appearing with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers.
NDP campaign in full swing already
While there has been plenty of announcements and appearances by the Premier and government ministers this week, the Sask Party itself has not staged any “official” party campaign events yet.
In contrast, the opposition New Democrats have been in full-blown election mode since late August, releasing campaign promises on a daily basis.
The NDP also released television ads featuring leader Carla Beck swinging a baseball bat - a nod to her family’s extensive involvement in baseball in the Lang area.
This week the focus of the NDP has shifted to affordability issues. On Monday, Beck stood outside the Petro-Canada on north Albert Street in Regina to promise she would suspend the gas tax for six months beginning at midnight on the first day they took office.
On Tuesday, Beck stood alongside several MLAs and candidates in central Regina where she pledged to introduce a Landlord and Tenant Rental Protection Act to protect tenants from excessive rent increases. Beck pointed to rents “soaring higher than any other province in the entire country,” with the party pointing to average rent increases of 22 per cent year over year.
The NDP also pledged to bring back the option of direct payment for Social Services clients. She also blasted the Sask Party for “the devastating consequences” of their “decision to remove direct payment to landlords for social assistance clients.”
In response, Minister of Social Services Gene Makowsky issued a statement in which he said “the NDP propose direct pay to landlords – this is already an option for social services clients if they need it.”
“In terms of income assistance benefits, Saskatchewan has increased rates for individuals and families at a rate higher than inflation. We acknowledge there is more to be done, and that is why we continue to increase income benefits for low-income individuals and families, while maintaining Saskatchewan’s position as the most affordable place to live in Canada.”
On Wednesday in Saskatoon, Beck made a further pledge on affordability, committing to remove the PST on kids’ clothing. The party pledged to bring this tax break in right away.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Regina, Beck dismissed Sask Party claims that Saskatchewan affordability was better compared to rents in Toronto, Vancouver and elsewhere.
“The Premier likes to cherrypick data. Consistently, people in this province have the highest rates of reporting that they cannot pay their bills, or they have stress about paying their bills at the end of the month. We also have some of the lowest wage growth, the lowest minimum wage, the lowest growth in terms of full-time jobs, of course, something people often need or usually need to pay their rents.”
Beck was also asked about Premier Moe sending out a post on the X platform this week about the Saskatchewan NDP taking the position that they oppose the federal carbon tax — in contrast to the federal NDP's support for it.
“Just like Jagmeet Singh is now pretending to no longer support the Trudeau government, the SK NDP is now pretending to no longer support the Trudeau carbon tax,” stated Moe, who then posted previous quotes from four NDP provincial candidates including MLAs Erika Ritchie and Jared Clarke and candidates Sally Housser and April ChiefCalf, all supportive of the federal carbon tax.
“I would say to Scott Moe and I’ve said this many times, I’m the leader of the Saskatchewan NDP,” Beck said. “The position of the Saskatchewan NDP has been clear. It should be clear to the Premier. Scott Moe does not get to speak for the Saskatchewan NDP.”
