SASKATOON - With the provincial leaders’ debate set to happen Wednesday night, the NDP spent the time leading up to it still focused on the health care issue.
NDP leader Carla Beck and the Sask Party’s Scott Moe were busy preparing for the televised debate during the day. It meant that sitting NDP MLAs were on the hustings today promoting what their party would do on the issue.
In Saskatoon, Nathaniel Teed, seeking re-election in Saskatoon Meewasin, promised the NDP would bring in a new online portal that would show every family doctor and nurse practitioner accepting new patients.
This had been an issue the NDP has raised for a while, pointing to the SHA removing the online listings back in 2022.
Teed accused the Sask Party government of trying to cover up the problems in health care by removing that listing. “They’re trying to hide the problem rather than fix the problem,” Teed said.
Teed also pointed to over 200,000 people without a family doctor or nurse practitioner, and repeated the NDP pledge of $1.1 billion towards health care.
“A Saskatchewan NDP government will make primary care a priority so everybody in the province can access a primary doctor or nurse practitioner.”
Meanwhile in Prince Albert, NDP candidates Nicole Rancourt running in Prince Albert Northcote and Carolyn Brost-Strom running in Prince Albert Carlton, were highlighting the NDP plans to remove the PST on groceries and suspend the 15 cent a litre gas tax for six months. Both candidates are believed to be in tight battles with the Saskatchewan Party for the two seats in Prince Albert.
The Saskatchewan Party did not have any organized media events Wednesday but did send out another post on social media. On the X platform, Scott Moe once again focused on the party's campaign promises on affordability.
“The @SaskParty has a plan to make life more affordable,” he stated. “We will reduce your income tax, saving a family of four $3400 over four years. We will increase the Graduate Retention Program up to $24,000, double the Active Families Benefit and create a permanent Home Renovation Tax Credit.”
This evening, the one-hour provincial Leader’s debate takes place at the rotunda of the Legislature featuring Scott Moe and Carla Beck. Harvard Media’s platforms including SaskToday, Sask Ag Today, Moose Jaw Today, CKRM and GX 94 will have live coverage of the debate beginning at 6 p.m. tonight.
With files from Jon Perez
