Five candidates running in the Moose Jaw–Lake Centre–Lanigan constituency took part in an all-candidates forum Tuesday night at Grant Hall, hosted by the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce.
Participating in the forum were Tabitha Mukamusoni of the Liberal Party of Canada, Fraser Tolmie of the Conservative Party of Canada, Mike Gardiner of the Green Party of Canada, Chey Craik of the People’s Party of Canada, and Britt Baumann of the New Democratic Party of Canada.
Each candidate was given a couple of minutes for opening remarks to lay out their platforms.
Tolmie, a former member of the military and former Moose Jaw city councillor and mayor, entered federal politics after his time in municipal government.
He said Moose Jaw–Lake Centre–Lanigan is a large constituency and that he has travelled extensively to hear from residents. What he’s heard most, he said, is that people are having a hard time making ends meet.
“I met with countless people at doorsteps, town halls, small business owners, farmers, military families, seniors and more,” Tolmie said.
“What I continue to hear is that nobody can keep up with the rising cost of living, and that the people of Saskatchewan feel ignored by those in power in Ottawa.”
Baumann, a veteran and military spouse of 35 years, took a shot at the Conservative Party in her opening remarks, saying people want change.
“I have to ask, what is that doing for us? We don’t really have a voice. It’s like the Conservative Party of Canada takes Saskatchewan for granted—that we’re going to send more Conservatives. I think it’s time that maybe we should send a New Democrat,” Baumann said.
Craik, the owner of a local training services company who spent nearly 20 years with CP Rail, said political ideologies in Ottawa need to change.
“For far too long, governments from all sides have made promises they don’t keep, prioritized political correctness ahead of common sense, and put special interests and global agendas ahead of everyday Canadians,” he said.
Mukamusoni, a journalist originally from Burundi, fled the country in 2016 due to political persecution. Now living in Gravelbourg, she is active in the French-speaking community.
She offered a positive view of Canada in her opening remarks.
“I do not believe, by the way, that Canada is broken as different politicians say. We are a country rich in resources, values and people. We just need to unleash our potential together,” Mukamusoni said.
Gardiner, a local social worker, said he’s running for the Green Party to be a voice for those who are often overlooked.
He said many of the other parties’ platforms don’t support the most vulnerable.
“They get some tax cuts that are being thrown around—they would get maybe $30 or $40 a year from that. That’s not going to help,” Gardiner said.
The forum touched on several topics and became heated at times, prompting moderator and Chamber of Commerce CEO Rob Clark to remind candidates on a couple of occasions that it was a forum, not a debate.
Topics discussed included:
- Reducing red tape and being competitive in the investment climate
- Energy, infrastructure and reliable supply chains
- U.S. President Donald Trump
- Contaminated sites at 15 Wing Moose Jaw
- Community safety, policing and well-being
- Transfer payments to the East
- Electoral reform
- Keeping an aging population out of poverty
- Immigration
- How they would ensure their voices are heard in Ottawa
- Collaborating with different levels of government
You can watch the entire forum below: