The 2024 Saskatchewan Provincial Election is shaping up to be a heavily contested affair, with key issues like affordability, child care, climate change, and education at the forefront of candidates' campaigns. With the vote set to take place on October 28, political parties are ramping up their messaging as they try to connect with voters across the province.
The Saskatchewan Party, led by Scott Moe, is promoting what it views as its record on affordability. Moe asserts, "We will run on our record of making things more affordable for people in Saskatchewan," emphasizing the importance of fiscal management even when faced with challenges. Despite plans, they have expressed frustration over the inability to lower taxes or balance the budget due to commitments to spending and capital projects.
Opposing this stance, the Saskatchewan NDP, led by Carla Beck, champions its commitment to not increasing taxes, arguing it will bolster affordability for citizens. Beck states, "Our promise to not hike taxes will help families manage their budgets." Meanwhile, the Buffalo Party takes a different approach, prioritizing evidence-based affordability measures rather than pushing for broader income equality.
Within its platform, the Buffalo Party has promised to provide legislation supporting housing for those on social assistance, alongside reinstatement of direct payments to landlords. The PC Party is also promising relief, proposing rebates on the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) for new home constructions, as well as grants up to $10,000 for energy-efficient home improvements.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Saskatchewan Green Party advocates for ending poverty by introducing basic income guarantees, which they describe as income-contingent and incentivizing work. The Saskatchewan Progress Party has pledged to address current housing challenges by rehabilitating thousands of vacant homes and implementing rent control measures.
Child care is another major topic among the candidates, with the Saskatchewan Party pledging to create 28,000 regulated early-learning child-care spaces by 2026. Currently, about 11,790 spaces have been established, and candidate Moe highlights schools being repurposed for child care slots.
Beck, representing the NDP, aims to recruit more child-care workers through targeted human resource initiatives to alleviate long waitlists for affordable options currently facing families seeking $10-a-day child care. Other parties, including the Buffalo and PC parties, have yet to lay out clear positions on child care, leaving the issue somewhat unaddressed on their fronts.
Climate change and energy policies are also key battlegrounds. The Saskatchewan Party views the federal government's net-zero emissions target as unrealistic and is aiming for 2050 for its own goal, emphasizing the exploration of small modular reactor technology as part of its strategy. Moe's administration has also resisted collecting the federal carbon tax, citing financial obligations to utility companies.
Conversely, Beck’s NDP has been vocal about its opposition to the federal carbon tax, criticizing exemptions for home heating oil but not for natural gas. They favor accountability and clearer benefits for residents affected by such policies.
The Buffalo Party advocates for all forms of energy production, supporting pipelines and resisting strict federal emission regulations. They also promise tax deductions for workers affected by federal energy legislation. The Saskatchewan Progress Party stands out by proposing royalty rate increases on oil and gas and enhanced support for initiatives tied to rare earth elements.
Education is another priority for many parties, with the Saskatchewan Party allocating $216 million toward school infrastructure for the upcoming budget year, which they argue bolsters educational opportunities. Yet the NDP contends it will devote $2 billion to hiring more teachers and tackling complex learning needs, aiming to reduce class sizes and improve educational outcomes.
The Buffalo Party's education policy leans toward establishing private education savings accounts to increase competition within schools. Meanwhile, the Green Party has not yet shared its education plans, which might garner significant interest as citizens evaluate approaches to enhancing the educational sector.
Public discussions surrounding crime and safety remain heated as well, particularly post-2023. Critics of Scott Moe's administration highlight the rising concerns about crime, predominantly among Indigenous populations and newly arrived immigrants. NDP candidate Nicole Rancourt emphasized during door-knocking sessions the prevalent issues her constituents shared, pointing to affordability and crime.
Indigenous communities are particularly vocal about their needs and the necessity for reconciliation. Candidates, including some NDP representatives, are pushing for dialogue with communities to address overlapping concerns of crime, social justice, and housing inequity. This reflects broader frustrations with long-standing governance structures and unmet commitments.
Recent events indicate mounting discontent within communities about the handling of these pressing issues. Addressing concerns such as poverty, systemic injustice, and the rising fear of crime will require self-reflection and engagement from all involved parties.
Political rivalry is set to intensify as the candidate leaders gear up to face each other, particularly during the upcoming debate on October 16, moderated by Merelda Fiddler from the First Nations University. This debate will give Scott Moe and Carla Beck the opportunity to clarify their stances and directly engage with questions from various journalists.
Voter participation remains integral to shaping the province's future. The upcoming election's questions around policies on affordability, child care, climate change strategies, and educational reform reflect not just party priorities, but also direct public sentiment.
With early voting beginning on October 22, it is clear Saskatchewan faces pivotal moments where its population can express their aspirations for change or continuity. The actions taken by candidates and responses from citizens will dictate the outcome of this election and shape Saskatchewan's future for years to come.
