SASKATOON – Days away from election night, party leaders rallied hard in Saskatoon and made some of their final pitches Thursday. Saskatchewan NDP Leader Cam Broten addressed supporters at a town hall meeting at the Federation Des Francophones de Saskatoon while Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall attended a rally at Prairieland Park.
The NDP pledged to invest in mental health services, including eight complimentary counselling sessions for young people and grants up to $1000 for students.
The Sask. Party said it will follow its growth plan and stands behind its “responsible, affordable platform that will keep Saskatchewan strong.”
FULL COVERAGE: Decision Saskatchewan 2016
A new poll by Insightrix suggests the Sask. Party is holding on strong, with 60 per cent of people intending to vote for the party. According to the figures, the NDP is sitting at 30 per cent and the Liberals at five per cent.
When asked about the consistent polls Thursday, Broten said, “I’ll leave the predictions to the pundits and those who read tea leaves but I’m feeling great.”
Wall also said he’s putting little weight on the numbers and says he will only go by what happens on election day.
Broten criticized the Sask. Party for not tabling a provincial budget, accusing the party of purposely slipping it under the rug until after the election.
“There is no budget. We’re going to work hard to develop a mandate and then work hard to develop a budget based on the promises we made in the campaign,” said Wall.
“I don’t think anybody is interested in any lectures from the NDP about budgeting,” he added.
Both parties say they were disappointed to see parts of Saskatchewan left out of Trudeau’s plan to help provide employment insurance to those who lost their jobs in the energy sector.
“They missed two thirds of our oil patch. They missed southeast Saskatchewan. They missed southwest Saskatchewan where I’m from. I have neighbours who have been out of work for a while,” said Wall.
“It’s a big concern. We know there are many families hurting. Many families because of the downturn are wondering how they’re going to pay for their mortgage,” said Broten.