NDP Leader, Carla Beck, was in Moose Jaw on Saturday, addressing supporters from within the NDP campaign headquarters in the city.
Beck was joined by Lorne Calvert, former premier of Saskatchewan, Lorne Calvert, Melissa Patterson, Cheantelle Fisher, Chauntel Baudu, and Deb Higgins, who voiced her support for the candidates during her introductions.
Following the introductions, Lorne Calvert took to the stage to call for change while endorsing Beck and candidates in the running to represent Moose Jaw in the upcoming election.
“It is clear to many of us that the majority of Saskatchewan people today believe it's time for a change, and that change will include a change in the leadership, of government change in the Premier's office.” said Calvert during the address.
“It's time for a change, that we might have a government and a premier again, who will actually listen to those who are delivering healthcare on the front lines. It's time that we had a government and premier who will actually listen to the educators who are with our children in their classrooms.”
Change was the primary theme of the event, with Beck taking aim at the Saskatchewan Party on the issues of healthcare, education and economic growth in her opening remarks.
“On issue after issue, Saskatchewan is in last place in healthcare, last place in education and second last when it comes to economic growth. In fact, Scott Moe has the distinction of being the only premier in the entire country, who shrunk the economy before, during and after a pandemic.” said Beck.
People in Moose Jaw you deserve better. We've got a plan. We've got a plan to lower costs for Saskatchewan families and get us out of last place on education. Not only have I committed to Saskatchewan people that I won't raise your tax won't raise your taxes as premier I commit to cutting taxes. When it comes to the question we're going to be asked, ‘How will you pay for it?’ I'll let you in on a little secret. Saskatchewan doesn't have a revenue problem. Saskatchewan has a management problem, a mismanagement problem.”
During her speech Beck covered proposed investments in classrooms with a promise to replace Saint Micheal School, as well as investments into healthcare through the hiring of additional doctors and nurses.
She continued by detailing some of her plans for affordability in the province.
“We're going to start saving you money on day one. We're going to cut the gas tax so that you save money every time you fill up your tank and we are going to cut Scott Moe's PST that he has added to your groceries and your kids' clothes.”
Moose Jaw Wakamow candidate, Melissa Patterson, took to the stage after Beck, and voiced her commitment to issues of healthcare, and job growth in the province, before inviting Moose Jaw North candidate, Cheantelle Fisher.
“As you've all seen, we've been putting signs up all over the region and we are painting it orange. We need folks to take signs. If you haven't yet, encourage your neighbors. Talk to your friends, tell your family we need every community in this region to have our signs all over the place.” said Fisher.
Chauntel Baudu, Lumsden North Candidate, expressed her gratitude to supporters in the area.
“Thank you everyone, everything we've accomplished during our campaigns has been possible because of the hard work and the great volunteers who dedicate their time to our campaigns.” Baudu said to the attendees.
“You have helped. You've come out, you've canvassed, you've taken out signs, Flyers, leaflets and we still need your help. We have 23 days to go. We need folks to come out and to continue to support us on this journey.”
Beck reacted to the Saskatchewan Party’s response to the NDP’s recently released financial plan.
“The first thing I'm going to say is that I will take no lessons about how to balance a budget or manage an economy from Scott Moe. Scott Moe in six years has added more debt to the people of Saskatchewan than any premier before him. In fact, he blew the most recent budget, overspent by $2 billion in the last year alone.”
“Our plan that we outlined yesterday was made available early so that people could look through it. They could see that our plan is fully costed, that it's a plan to invest in the things that people in this province need.”
Calvert took to the microphone and spoke about what an NDP government would bring to the table if elected.
“I anticipate that our new government will focus, as all governments should. The needs of every Saskatchewan person, and every Saskatchewan community. I'm anticipating our new government will restore some respect for the legislature. Restore some respect for the institutions of democracy that make our province strong.”
He continued, reiterating the NDP’s plans regarding healthcare and education, stating that the party’s financial plan would return the province to a balanced budget.
Calvert also levelled criticism towards the Saskatchewan Party’s approach to growing the province’s economy.
“We have relied completely almost on our resource-based economy. Now that's a great gift that we as Saskatchewan people have that resource-based economy, but a strengthened economy builds on that resource base here.” said Calvert.
“We've seen things disappear in those 17 years. One small example was the film and video industry prospering in this province. Until this government simply shut it down that kind of industry building on our resource base is what gives economic viability and variety and attracts people from across the country across the globe.”
He continued, expressing his concerns over what drives policy in the province.
“I tell you the thing that troubles me, perhaps the most in these times. I've watched this government, particularly after a by-election in Lumsden Morse, begin to govern only for those narrow right wingers that are biting at their heels, shaping public policy for all of us and for our children based on their fear of this extreme right.”
As the final speaker, Calvert closed by expressing his support for Carla Beck.
“Carla Beck has just the talent to do that, to bring this province together and not let us fall into this partisanship that we're seeing so clearly across the 49th parallel. We need to build a community together. Carla is the person who can do that.”
