SASKATOON – One of the things the Saskatchewan Liberals are talking about this election campaign is a much stronger partnership with First Nations. Their ideas include a northern rail line that would partner with First Nations and haul goods to the Port of Churchill in Manitoba.
And a similar idea is to partner with First Nations and Metis communities to develop a pipeline that would run south to north in the province, and hook up to the Port of Churchill.
“The pipeline we are proposing is a made in Saskatchewan solution,” said Liberal Leader Darrin Lamoureux. He said Liberals hope having a dedicated pipeline would encourage investment in one or more refineries, and create more jobs and investment.
“By doing a pipeline south to north in Saskatchewan, and running it through sovereign land to the Port of Churchill, you’re allowing the producers of a refined product to get it to tidewater, which will encourage investment for refineries,” he told Global News.
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Other ideas include tax breaks for the working poor, and raising the minimum wage to 13 dollars an hour by July of 2017.
“We feel to reduce poverty we have to have more disposable income for every day Saskatchewan citizens,” he said.
The party is also promising a 25 per cent rebate for homeowners who invest in renewable energy like solar and wind.
“We have to start diversifying our economy so we are not so reliant on oil,” said Lamoureux.
The Liberals are running a full slate of 61 candidates in this election.
On Wednesday, Global News will bring you a live televised debate featuring Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall and Saskatchewan NDP Leader Cam Broten.
Lamoureux said Tuesday it’s unfair his party has been excluded. The Liberal party is polling at roughly six per cent in a recent Insightrix poll; however, he said many undecided voters are leaning towards his party.
“If we’re talking about who’s going to be in government included in this debate, Brad Wall should be standing on the stage by himself, it’s clear the NDP’s not going to win this election come April 4th, so to talk about who should be in opposition and who has the ideas to share where Saskatchewan can grow,” said Lamoureux.
“I think we can be an added voice in the legislature.”
Lamoureux said he’ll take his campaign to Regina Wednesday.
Saskatchewan PC Leader Rick Swenson, whose also not invited, said he’ll answer debate questions on Twitter.
Joel Senick contributed to this story
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