SASKATOON – Gordon Wyant says the economy is the big issue in the provincial election. Wyant, the Saskatchewan Party candidate in Saskatoon Northwest (and justice minister in the Wall government) says that’s because it’s the economy that pays for the government’s promises.
Wyant told Global News he is encouraged by the fact recent polls have shown his party in the lead. But they don’t want to take anything for granted.
“Notwithstanding what the polls are saying, the real poll comes on Monday,” said Wyant.
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And while the Sask. Party has faced numerous attacks from the opposition NDP on everything from health care to education, Wyant believes the over-riding issue remains the economy.
“That’s the central message in our campaign, that’s the central question, I think the people are attuned to that, they appreciate the fact that it’s the economy that takes care of everything, and I think the premier has been very clear on that,” said Wyant.
In the last year the NDP have raised accusations about under-staffing in seniors care, and growing wait lists in some areas of health care. Wyant doesn’t dispute that there is more work to be done, but points to the big picture.
“We remind voters we’ve had record investments in health care and in education, (but) we have to continue to work on these issues, the job is never done,” he said.
More recently, the Prairie Spirit School Division north of Saskatoon has warned about impending job cuts without more funding. But Wyant says funding has gone up.
“The investment in that division has outstripped the enrolment growth, there’s been significant investment in capital, including four new schools,” he said. “At the same time there is an ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Education with respect to the funding formula generally … we’ll continue to work on those issues.”
He also dismisses opposition attacks that the province has little to show after years of a booming economy.
“We’ve had record investments in health care, in education, in highways, we’ve reduced the debt by almost 40 per cent in this province since forming government in 2007, so I think the record speaks for itself,” said Wyant.
And he accused the NDP of making promises without the funding to back them up.
“I think you have to look at the NDP platform – 18 uncosted promises, I don’t think that’s very responsible.” The NDP has always maintained they’ve identified funding sources for all their election promises.
If the Sask. Party does win a third term in government, it will be the first time a party other than the NDP has done that in Saskatchewan since the Liberals in the 1920s.