MOOSE JAW - NDP leader Carla Beck says the Saskatchewan Party has done a poor job of representing the people of Moose Jaw and believes New Democrats would do better in addressing residents’ concerns.
The 2024 provincial election kicked off on Oct. 1 after Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty dissolved the 29th Saskatchewan Legislature, beginning a 28-day campaign that will determine which party will lead the province come Oct. 28.
MooseJawToday.com spoke to Beck by phone as she travelled to Saskatoon recently.
“I’m excited to take our message across this province and work with our candidates right across this province to deliver what people are telling us is important to them,” Beck said.
“We’re hearing from people that it’s time for change and we’re going to show people over the next few weeks that the Saskatchewan NDP is prepared to deliver on the change they’re looking for.”
The main issues the NDP plans to address include health care, cost of living, education and crime.
“I’m very excited about our team, I’m very excited about what we’re hearing on the doorstep and I’m very excited to have this campaign finally, officially underway,” she added.
The NDP has a “proud history” of serving Saskatchewan and punching above its weight, and because people are frustrated with the Sask. Party, Beck wants to show voters that “better is possible” by delivering an attractive plan.
In Moose Jaw, the Wakamow constituency is a riding the NDP could win because incumbent Greg Lawrence is not running, while the North constituency may be tougher to win. However, Beck said she isn’t taking anything for granted in The Friendly City — or elsewhere in Saskatchewan, either.
Instead, Beck is confident in the NDP’s message and pleased with the hard work that the party has been doing to earn voters’ trust.
“What I do know is that the people of Moose Jaw deserve so much better than the representation they’ve been getting,” she said.
The NDP leader accused MLA Tim McLeod of being “missing in action” and unavailable to meet with constituents — from doctors to residents living in cockroach-infested buildings — a problem that has allegedly grown worse ever since he became a cabinet minister.
Meanwhile, she pointed out that Lawrence is representing himself in court on alleged assault charges.
Based on those MLAs’ alleged non-responsive behaviours — and that of other Sask. Party MLAs across the province — it’s apparent that that party has stopped working for people, Beck claimed.
“Moose Jaw has a proud history of delivering premiers (and) cabinet ministers into governments under the Saskatchewan NDP … . And I’m incredibly proud of the work that Melissa (Patterson, Wakamow) and Cheantelle (Fisher, North) have been doing,” she continued.
The cost of living is a big concern that the Sask. Party seems unwilling to address in Moose Jaw — or elsewhere — based on the fact there are 300 fewer area jobs since Moe became premier, food bank use has gone “through the roof” and people are falling behind financially, she said.
That is why the NDP will, on day 1 of taking office, suspend the fuel tax and cut the PST on groceries and children’s clothing — all before Christmas, Beck remarked.
Poor health care is also a concern the NDP has heard about, particularly at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, where there have been 17 disruptions amounting to 300 days of reduced services, Beck continued.
Therefore, across Saskatchewan, the NDP will hire more professionals and seek to retain the people already working here, she noted.
Meanwhile, the NDP will build a new St. Michael Elementary School and, provincially, address rising crime rates by supporting municipal police forces while eliminating the marshals service that has yet to hire anyone, Beck said.
“I’m excited to … show people that change is possible, that they can vote for the change that they’re looking for and that the Saskatchewan NDP is prepared to deliver that change in every corner of the province,” she added.
