Both the SaskParty and NDP leaders have had a presence in Prince Albert this week. (Nick Nielsen/paNow)

By Nick Nielsen

Election 2024

Prince Albert voters share why they support their chosen party

Oct 24, 2024 | 12:16 PM

Both the SaskParty and the NDP have hosted rally events in Prince Albert this week with the two seats in the city, Carlton and Northcote, in a tight race between the two parties.

Joyce Maier already cast her ballot during early voting in the Carlton constituency along with her husband Fred, both voting for the SaskParty. They said watching the SaskParty follow through on promises such as highway improvements around the province that the SaskParty earned their trust moving forward.

“It’s their history. They have taken care of this province just the best, and so I’m really happy about that. I’m happy about what they’re doing, and the amount they’ve given for the schools is second to none in the whole country. Everything about the party is good and we totally trust Scott Moe. He’s a good man and that’s why we voted for them.”

While SaskParty voters are proud of the history the SaskParty has had in their term, NDP voters in the area seem to have a different perspective on it. Jordanne Estergard is voting for the NDP in the Northcote constituency this year, and as a teacher, Estergard believes the province is ready for change from a government that has not provided the right changes for her field.

“I am a teacher and I also have kids of my own, so I really think that the NDP is going to be the answer for education as well as healthcare. I also heard lots of personal stories about not getting the health care that they needed or waiting a long time. I think that’s unacceptable and I think that as the NDP has said, I don’t think the record is good for SaskParty. I think they’ve had long enough to prove and make change and they haven’t made the change we need. So I think the NDP is going to do it.”

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Also in attendance at the SaskParty event on Wednesday was Scott Sexsmith, who is voting in the Saskatchewan Rivers constituency this year. A reason Sexsmith decided to vote SaskParty again this year is that he’s had a chance to meet and talk with his area’s current candidate, Eric Schmalz, during his time as reeve of the RM of Prince Albert.

“I think they focus on the right things, on the economy, on healthcare, they’ve put a lot into everything there and like Scott just said, they’re focused on moving forward, not going backwards. In my case I know the candidate really well, so we also have a personal connection with the person that’s representing us and they’ve been good to us, good to reach out to, good to listen to the issues, and fair.”

Sexsmith went on to say that the growth in Saskatchewan paired with some of the instability around the rest of the world could make a change of provincial leadership difficult for the people in Saskatchewan.

“A change in guard right now, especially with the federal government we do have going, to an NDP government could set us back a long ways. We’ve got forward momentum, great opportunities in this province for one of the lowest inflation, cheapest cost of living, huge growth here, and I think we got to keep that up.”

Also already voting in the Northcote constituency is Matt Derworiz, who has already cast his vote for the NDP. Deworiz has voted for the NDP in 2020 and in Alberta in 2015,

“I have an 18-month-old at home. When Carla Beck and Nicole Rancourt and Carolyn Brost-Strom say that they’re going to cut the PST on children’s clothes, that’s money in my pocket for the next 17 to 18 years, right? It’s something tangible that people can easily relate to.”

Early voting is currently open for the provincial election, and the final day to vote Monday, October 28.

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Nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com