The contenders for the Swift Current riding in the 2024 Saskatchewan provincial election have hit the campaign trail.
Premier Scott Moe launched the election yesterday by asking the Lieutenant-Governor to dissolve the legislature ahead of an October 28th vote.
Minister of Health Everett Hindley is hoping to continue a winning streak for the Saskatchewan Party in Swift Current dating back to Brad Wall's first election in 1999.
"We've never said that we've been perfect and we've got every decision right," Hindley said. "But we try to do our best on behalf of the people that we were elected to serve. That's all the people, regardless of whether they vote for us or not. As an MLA and as a minister, you try to make decisions that are best for your community with the information you have. I like to think that we have been an open government, one that's willing to talk to people, to meet with people, and sometimes have some pretty tough conversations. Also have some really great dialogue as well.
"Try to find solutions to the challenges that we all face, knowing that you know, I live in this community just like anyone else does. If it's impacting my friends and neighbors, it obviously would impact me as well."
Hindley won a by-election to replace Wall in 2018 and was re-elected in 2020. He faces first-time NDP candidate Jay Kimball.
"It's been really positive," Kimball said on the first day of the campaign. "There's a lot of people who are very unsure of their vote right now and that's really exciting for the NDP in Swift Current. We are getting lots of positive responses from people and lots of high fives, lots of smiles, lots of 'time for change you can do it' so feeling excited. We have a really great team assembled. I feel so privileged to be able to do this with the community here."
The Saskatchewan Party has governed the province since 2007. Hindley believes continuing on the right path requires balance.
"We want to continue to make sure that that we have a strong and vibrant economy in the province that allows us to spend money in areas like healthcare," Hindley said. "It was a record investment in the healthcare in this budget to 10.6% increase in healthcare funding this year over last year. $7.6 billion in in spending in healthcare. That being said, we do need to make sure that we're mindful of where we spend taxpayers' dollars and that we're getting the best possible bang for our buck."
Kimball sees a lot of room for improvement.
"We have been in last place in surgical wait times," the NDP candidate said. "We are underfunded in our schools, a crisis in affordability is occurring and after 17 years, I don't think people are ready to vote the same as they always have.
"We want to just get the word out and we want people to ask questions."
George Watson is also running for the Green Party in Swift Current. Hindley won the 2020 vote with 78.44% of the vote compared to 19.83 for NDP candidate Stefan Rumpel and 1.73% for Watson.