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Election 2016: Provincial candidates go head-to-head in P.A.

Mar 23, 2016 | 6:26 AM

Depending on what end of the political spectrum you sit, Saskatchewan is either the best it has ever been or the premier must be stopped.

The region’s provincial candidates had two hours yesterday, March 22, to convince undecided voters to join their side during the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce’s all candidates debate.

Twelve runners, packed tightly around Carlton High School folding tables, debated the most pressing issues to P.A. and region. The forum included Liberal, SaskParty and NDP candidates from SaskRivers, Batoche, Rosthern-Shellbrook and both P.A. ridings.

The candidates spent an entire hour essentially talking about themselves and, of course, what they can do for you. Each took a different approach.

Winston McKay reminded the crowd of his accomplishments saying, “I’m 73-years-old, I could stand here all night and pat myself on the back.”

Rose Freeman, of Rosthern-Shellbrook, spoke about her strong, farm upbringing and her decision to start a business close to home. SaskParty candidate Joe Hargrave spoke of his successful businesses, but also of his four children; all proud Saskatchewan residents.

Lyle Whitefish was the only candidate to receive applause, but also a few chuckles, for his opening remarks. The candidate consistently referred to the night’s moderator as “Mr. Speaker.”

If candidates’ speeches were any indication, the future of P.A. was riding on the creation of a second bridge. It was mentioned several times, by several candidates and asked as a direct question by the chamber’s moderator.

During question period, each party chose a different candidate to give an answer to their questions, and this cycle continued throughout this segment. 

Nadine Wilson told the audience Premier Brad Wall committed to building a bridge with funding help from all levels of government. This was an example of her party’s dedication to important regional issues.

Shayne Lazarowich fired back accusing the SaskParty of making false promises.

“Specifically with the bridge we were told one thing, then they flip-flopped and we were told we don’t need it due to the capacity of the bridge…Then Brad Wall came back and said ‘maybe we’ll build a bridge, but it has to be a (combination of municipal, provincial and federal funding),” Lazarowich said.

He added, NDP leader Cam Broten committed to building a second bridge using provincial and federal funds because it was regional, not merely P.A. infrastructure.

McKay simply said, “Get the money first, then decide where you’ll put the bridge,” a comment that drew a couple of laughs and round of applause for the candidate.

In another question, Whitefish told the audience building portables is not the answer to solving the issue of overcrowding in schools. He also said his party would “close the gap” between First Nations and non-First Nations’ education standards, making Saskatchewan a model province.

The SaskParty’s Scott Moe answered back to a strong round of claps – the loudest during any question – on his party’s record on education.

“It’s through 16 years of NDP government that they closed 176 schools in the province, as we had people leaving the province,” Moe said, adding, the SaskParty has doubled education spending, added over 600 more teachers to classrooms and built 40 new schools.

The next all candidate forum takes place at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the John M. Cuelenaere library in P.A.

 

Candidates running are:

SaskParty: Joe Hargrave (Carlton), Nadine Wilson (SaskRivers), Delbert Kirsch (Batoche), Victoria Jurgens (Northcote) and Scott Moe (Rosthern-Shellbrook).

NDP: Shayne Lazarowich (Carlton), Lyle Whitefish (SaskRivers), Clay DeBray (Batoche), Nicole Rancourt (Northcote) and Rose Freeman (Rosthern-Shellbrook).

Liberal: Jon Fraser (Northcote) and Winston McKay (Carlton).

 

dreynolds@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @danitska