With Saskatchewan’s provincial election approaching on Monday, we reached out to the leaders of the leaders of each of the parties in the running and asked them to expand more on their platforms. We heard back from three of the six parties before our deadline of noon Thursday. NDP leader Carla Beck, Sask United Party leader Jon Hromek, and Buffalo Party leader Phil Zajac all spoke with us to talk about how they believe their platforms will create a better future for Saskatchewan residents.
Jon Hromek, Saskatchewan United Party
Jon Hromek, leader of the Saskatchewan United Party, highlighted his party’s priorities in education and economic reform, presenting a critique of the current government’s handling of these areas. On education, Hromek expressed concern about the integration of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) discussions in schools, asserting that such topics are best left to family discussions and mental health professionals rather than the school curriculum. “We believe classroom time should be refocused on foundational skills, such as literacy and numeracy, rather than on divisive topics,” Hromek explained.
Advocating for localized educational models, Hromek noted that the unique needs of communities like Estevan and Weyburn differ greatly from those in urban centers such as Saskatoon and Regina. He called for a shift from large school divisions to a regional approach, addressing challenges like teacher retention in rural areas and language support in cities with high numbers of non-native English speakers. Additionally, Hromek proposed reducing bureaucratic oversight in education by auditing school divisions to ensure funds are effectively used at the classroom level.
In the economic realm, Hromek criticized the provincial government’s commitment to net-zero emissions, arguing it hampers critical industries like oil and gas. “Net-zero policies divert capital and threaten our core industries,” he warned, calling instead for a pro-growth approach that fosters investment. To counter potential financial shortfalls, Hromek proposed establishing Sask First Bank, a provincial bank designed to support local businesses, especially in agriculture and energy. He likened it to Farm Credit Canada, underscoring the bank’s role in keeping Saskatchewan’s economy resilient amid external pressures.
Phil Zajac, Buffalo Party
Phil Zajac, leader of the Buffalo Party, described the election season as a “hectic sprint,” with his party aiming to win enough seats to hold the balance of power. Unlike traditional parties, the Buffalo Party lacks a central platform, instead forming policies through member-driven conventions. “Our goal is to prioritize local needs and let MLAs vote in line with their constituents, free from a party whip,” Zajac explained, underscoring the party’s commitment to grassroots representation.
The Buffalo Party’s campaign prioritizes affordability, with Zajac pledging to abolish the carbon tax and pause fuel taxes for six months to provide financial relief to residents. He also emphasized enhancing market competition, particularly in the grocery sector, by promoting a “farm-to-fork” initiative. This would allow consumers to buy food directly from Saskatchewan farmers, ensuring fresher, more affordable options. As the election nears, Zajac’s campaign has focused on community engagement, with planned events to connect directly with voters.
Carla Beck, Saskatchewan NDP
Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck also shared her party’s platform, with a strong focus on affordability, housing, healthcare, and education. Beck stated that, if elected, the NDP would immediately eliminate the provincial gas tax, which she estimates would save residents 15 cents per litre. “It’s a practical solution to ease the cost of living,” Beck said, pointing to successful examples in other provinces.
On housing, Beck outlined the NDP’s Landlords and Renters Protection Act, which would regulate rent increases and adjust income support policies to enable direct payments to landlords. This measure, she argued, addresses the pressures facing both renters and property owners amid rising costs, ensuring that housing remains accessible across the province.
Healthcare is another cornerstone of the NDP platform, with Beck addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in rural areas. She proposed increasing full-time healthcare positions and introducing a “grow-your-own” strategy to recruit from within local communities. Beck’s approach aims to improve staffing stability by investing in community-based training programs, especially in underserved regions.
Education reform is central to Beck’s campaign, with promises to restore per-student funding levels and provide more support staff, such as educational psychologists and speech pathologists. “Our focus is on undoing the damage of the past decade,” she stated, pledging to revitalize Saskatchewan’s education system to serve students across the province better. Beck’s platform also extends to rural development, where she proposed investments in recreational infrastructure and Main Street revitalization projects to strengthen local communities.
As Saskatchewan residents prepare to vote, Hromek, Zajac, and Beck present distinct paths for the province, each hoping to address pressing issues through education, economic reform, and community investment. With party-specific policies that range from localizing education and supporting core industries to expanding healthcare and tackling affordability, the upcoming election promises a varied choice for voters across Saskatchewan.
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Voting is now underway across the province with advance polls that are open until 7 p.m. today. There will be no votes tomorrow, with the voting set to resume Monday at 9 a.m., and going until 8 p.m. We will have extensive coverage, both of what is happening here in our local ridings as well as what is happening across the province, starting on-air and online at 8 p.m. Monday.