Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and why you decided to run?
A: I am born and raised here in Moose Jaw. I grew up on South Hill, and I still live on South Hill. I am mom to three daughters. They are getting older now – 16, 19 and 22. I've raised my daughters on South Hill.
I am inspired to be running because, as a lifelong resident of Moose Jaw, and of course, of Saskatchewan, I've seen things go from bad to worse over the last 10 or so years. I want to help make things better. I want to do something about it.
I got involved kind of out of nowhere in 2019. Although I didn't make it over the line in 2020, I have been working very hard since to stay engaged and active in my community - also, in my workplaces - and look forward to this year's election very much. I've been working very hard for the folks here in Moose Jaw Wakamow, to meet and earn the trust of each constituent, regardless of their political stripes. I hope that if folks are undecided voters on election day that they think to themselves, ‘Who's going to work hard for me?’ Because that's what I want to do.
Q: What do you feel are some of the pressing issues for your constituents in this election?
A: Healthcare, affordability and safety seem to be the top three things that I get asked about or talking about on the doorstep.
Especially here in Moose Jaw we are one of the bigger communities across the province, but the number of times I hear heartbreaking stories of folks not getting the right care, not being able to get care, getting misdiagnosed, losing loved ones, waiting too long in hospitals - I've had some incredibly emotional days on the doorstep. I know we can have better, and I know that Carla has a vision for Saskatchewan, and I'm proud to be standing beside her.
Q: How do you think the NDP could improve housing in the province?
A: We've got some plans, as set out in our platform, to get those 4000 public housing units across this province back up and operational, with 500 of that happening right in the first year of the term.
On top of all the other affordability measures that we're going to be introducing, PST off kids clothing, PST off groceries, cutting the gas tax - We're going to make it possible for folks to have a little extra money in their pocket and help them feel a little bit better about affording their lives.
It’s not lost on us that housing is a major concern, especially right here at home in Moose Jaw. I believe that the measures Carla has laid out are going to do significant work to address the housing both here in Moose Jaw and across the province.
Q: What are your thoughts on the NDP's plan for health care?
A: I think we have a solid, achievable plan to get folks the care they need, when and where they need it. That's going to come through a variety of measures. Importantly, making sure that those healthcare workers that we have here in the province, that want to be doing that work, are able to get trained up to do that work to build their lives, to stay here in our community.
Q: And what are your thoughts on the NDP's plan for policing and public safety?
A: I think Carla has it right. We don't need another, third, police force in this province - a private police force, if you will. I think scrapping the Marshall’s Service and redirecting those dollars into community police sources and the RCMP is exactly what this province needs. We already have an incredible fleet of trained professionals. We just need more of them, and we need to give them the support that they need to do the work across this province.
Q: How do you think an NDP government would grow the economy?
A: Carla has a robust vision of growing Saskatchewan's economy by focusing on Saskatchewan workers. Our Hire Saskatchewan plan is going to see lots and lots of great jobs created right here at home, prioritizing Saskatchewan companies, Saskatchewan made products, and Saskatchewan people doing those big contracts is going to ensure that folks are able to stay here, build lives and contribute back into our local economy. We should have always been focused on Saskatchewan First, and I’m proud that Carla is.