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(Submitted/Shaun Harris)
election

PCP candidate talks hospital, bridge, pulp mill, and strong representation

Oct 17, 2020 | 8:05 AM

The Progressive Conservative Party candidate for Saskatchewan Rivers, Shaun Harris, says he’s under no illusions about forming government, but his party still aims to make an impression this election. Harris has also criticized the incumbent MLA, claiming they have done little for job creation.

“Our goal right now is to get our foot in the door with three or four or five elected MLAs across the province and we have an excellent chance to do that,” he told paNOW. “We’ve got strong showings in several constituencies.”

He labeled the NDP opposition “one of the weakest in provincial history” and said it was why the governing Sask Party has not been held accountable and “have run amok with their spending and their pompous attitudes.”

Harris suggested the continued lack of an announcement by the government during this election campaign regarding a start date for the Victoria Hospital expansion was a concern and he questioned if that would mean the project being forgotten about after the Oct. 26 vote.

He said two other key issues were the lack of a second bridge in Prince Albert – which he argues is constricting the area’s economic development and tax base – and no progress on facilitating a deal to re-open the shuttered pulp mill. He said if put in a position of leadership he’d “either have a deal signed or some final closure on it within 90 days.”

Harris, who is a grain farmer and runs a trucking and logging business, took aim at the incumbent Sask Party MLA Nadine Wilson, claiming she has not been a strong voice for the region and business expansion.

He said he was surprised to hear Wilson touting only highway improvements when asked at a recent forum what she was proud of in terms of delivering during her tenure.

“Congratulations on doing the absolute bare minimum,” he said. “The role of government is to ensure we have a highway system in good repair; it’s alarming [she] didn’t mention anything about job creation or business investment.

“I’m involved in every industry that keeps Sask Rivers ticking… and everyone is sick of [the lack] of representation. They want a strong voice and they want someone to stick up for them,” Harris said.

paNOW has reached out for comment from Nadine Wilson.

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow

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