The Sask. Party hopes that Moose Jaw Wakamow will stay green after the Oct. 26 provincial election, so it will fall upon incumbent Greg Lawrence to secure the riding for a third-straight time.
Lawrence was first elected during the 2011 provincial election, winning by 201 votes over NDP incumbent Deb Higgins. Lawrence then won by 695 votes over NDP candidate Karen Purdy during the 2016 election. Now, the two-time Sask. Party incumbent is facing off against NDP candidate Melissa Patterson, the Green Party’s Abby Firlotte and the Progressive Conservative’s Darcy Jensen.
“It’s a good time to get out and talk to the people of Moose Jaw Wakamow and see where their thoughts are and how we’re doing as a government,” said Lawrence after the recent visit by Premier Scott Moe.
With the NDP’s Patterson expected to be a strong challenger, Lawrence’s goal to retain the constituency is to run on the Sask. Party’s record as government, he explained. He pointed out the party has kept its word and fulfilled the promises it has made.
“Instead of taxing and spending, we’re building in the province,” Lawrence added.
Having been on the doorsteps for weeks, the most common concern Lawrence has heard from residents is how tired they are of the pandemic. While they acknowledge that the virus exists, their main issue is when a vaccine will be developed. Such a vaccine will be the federal government’s responsibility, but Lawrence noted the University of Saskatchewan is also working to find a solution.
With a laugh, Lawrence added the other common concern he has heard is how poor Moose Jaw’s streets are.
Lawrence is running for the third time since he doesn’t think he’s finished as a politician and believes he still has much to offer the residents of Moose Jaw.
“I really enjoy helping the people that we helped every day in our office,” he said, pointing to his experience and passion for helping others as strengths and as reasons why he entered politics. “We were foster parents. I got into politics because I was tired of seeing kids fall through the cracks. And working with both governments as a foster parent, I found the Saskatchewan Party so much easier to work with …
“I wanted to make this province better for not only my kids and grandkids, but everybody’s kids in the province.”
The Sask. Party has the best plan because it doesn’t have a tax-and-spend attitude, Lawrence said. It plans to build and invest in the province to make it better for everyone. These actions will ensure there is a strong foundation that can build strong families to help them get ahead.
“I’m passionate about what I do,” he added. “I’m here to help people. I’m not here to lead people; I’m here to work for them and do the work of the people when I’m in Regina and when I’m in my office.”
The provincial election is Monday, Oct. 26.
