REGINA – Both Premier Brad Wall and Opposition NDP leader Cam Broten say they’re looking forward to the next provincial election, likely to be held in April 2016.
But how far has either side moved the needle on issues like health care or the economy?
Most NDP criticisms over the last seven months focused on seniors care, with other matters like costly ambulance trips resulting in what Broten often calls a “crisis” in the health system.
After the legislative session wrapped up Thursday, Wall acknowledged there’s work to be done in health care, but says he expected to hear more of the NDP’s vision for the economy.
“The next election is not going to be about, ‘Who’s going to be the next health minister?’ The next election will be about the government the people think will continue to move the province forward,” Wall said.
Broten argues his caucus has shown that and more.
“(We’ve talked) about how we can better diversify our economy through better energy diversification, supporting green jobs, about procurement,” he said. “You have to remember how important that is for Saskatchewan businesses.”
Election mode
Some trying times in the oil sector meant a large revenue shortfall in 2014-15. The Saskatchewan Party government’s budget increased borrowing, but there weren’t any new taxes.
As we inch closer to the election, analysts point to political attacks that are becoming increasingly personal, such as deputy NDP leader Trent Wotherspoon’s accusation that Wall spent time at a Regina-based developer’s condo in Mexico. Wall denied the accusation and Wotherspoon later apologized.
“There’s a sense they’ve only got a few months and a few opportunities in which to score,” said University of Saskatchewan political scientist Joe Garcea.
“You can’t get complacent.”
Though another year at the legislature has meant little change in polling numbers, Garcea says it’s worth keeping an eye on the surprising NDP majority victory one province over.
“If there’s a lesson from Alberta, you can’t get complacent, you can’t get arrogant and you can’t do something unless you have a basic plan and positive leadership,” Garcea said.
While campaigns ramp up over the summer months, Garcea says what happens to the price of oil could ultimately play a much bigger role when Saskatchewan voters eventually go to the polls.
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