Sask Party leader Scott Moe speaking in Prince Albert earlier this month. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

By paNOW Staff

Weekend campaign trail

Healthcare dominates weekend campaigning as Saskatchewan heads into voting week

Oct 21, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Voting week is officially underway in Saskatchewan. Residents are invited to cast a ballot in advance until Oct. 26. There is no voting on Oct. 27, the day before Saskatchewan’s 30^th general election next Monday.

“This is a special week in democracy,” said Sask. Party leader Scott Moe during a stop in Prince Albert over the weekend. “Every Saskatchewan resident has the opportunity to determine, you know, which party best represents the opportunity and future that we have in our province- not only for the next four years – but setting the platform beyond that.”

Moe said his party put forward an entirely costed plan that they feel is reasonable in investments that ensure there will be a lower cost of living for Saskatchewan people.

“It’s an affordable plan with a path forward and you put that beside the uncosted, irresponsible plans that other parties have put out there.”

While he stated Saskatchewan is the most affordable place to live, he acknowledged residents are concerned about the cost-of-living pressures.

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“We have the lowest inflation rate because we removed the Trudeau-NDP carbon tax on how we heat our homes, but we need to continue investing in our communities,” he said. “That’s why you see the platform in front of you is largely focused on affordability for Saskatchewan residents.”

Moe referred to what he called ‘the most ambitious heath human resources plan in the nation’ that his government put forward in September of 2022. It includes $300 million already invested to help train, incentivize and retain healthcare workers across the province. He said 1,800 nurses have been hired in the last 18 months and the province is up 800 net new physicians and nurses in the past year. He said the Sask NDP offered a $1.1 billion increase over the next four years in healthcare, but their costing document only accounts for $415 million.

“Those are serious questions that Saskatchewan people need to ask the NDP candidates, is why are you cutting healthcare and why are not even costing the cuts you put forward.”

Moe said his party is investing in a new hospital in Prince Albert that will expand services to the tune of about 500 additional healthcare workers.

“Under an NDP government, what we saw is they ripped down hospitals and actually closed a hospital right here in this city. There is a very significant difference when it comes to record,” said Moe. “You know, theirs is decline, loss and closures and ours is enhancing and encouraging a strong economy to invest in the future and services.”

Sask NDP leader Carla Beck (middle) outside of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Île-à-la-Crosse which was one of the stops on her northern tour. (Submitted photo/Sask NDP)

The Sask NDP spent much of the weekend campaigning highlighting what they called ‘devastating cuts to healthcare services by the Sask Party.’

On Saturday, leader Carla Beck was joined by a Meadow Lake woman, who was forced to give birth on the side of the highway because the operating room in Meadow Lake was closed to deliveries due to a staffing shortage.

“Scott Moe’s cuts are hurting people in every part of this province,” said Beck. “Here in Meadow Lake, women are being forced to deliver their babies on the highway because under Moe, there is no healthcare at home.”

While standing outside of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Île-à-la-Crosse during Beck’s tour of the north, she promised northern communities that help with healthcare is on the way.

“I know just how hard our healthcare workers are working but they need help. We’re ready to work with northern leaders and work with our healthcare workers to ensure that when you need the healthcare system, it is there for you.”

Beck’s plan is to upgrade part-time and casual positions to full-time positions, to better attract and retain workers and launch a Grow Your Own strategy to train and upgrade local healthcare workers in the northern communities where they live.

“The North deserves a real partner in government. I promise to be that partner. Saskatchewan, it’s time for change,” Beck said.

Also on the weekend, the Sask NDP touched on the stress Saskatchewan families face in finding affordable childcare. Beck said her government has committed to not only expanding access to $10-a-day childcare spaces but hiring more childcare workers so that parents can actually access those spaces.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com