WEYBURN - Barbara Helfrick believes the Saskatchewan United Party (SUP) can provide the change that she and others want to see in Saskatchewan.
Helfrick was nominated as the party's candidate for the Cannington constituency on Oct. 11. She has had an extensive career in the health-care sector, having worked in the profession for 36 years, most of it as a registered nurse. She also spent time as a mental health counsellor for the Southeast College, where she said she created policies and guidelines for mental health services, but has resumed her nursing duties and works in psychiatric care at Tatagwa View in Weyburn.
She said she is running for the SUP because she is a firm believer in leader Jon Hromek. She was with him on the campaign trail in Lumsden-Morse during a by-election in 2023.
"I'm a … very firm believer in the Saskatchewan United Party platform, and it's time for change. You deserve better and we can do better, and I believe that for the people of Saskatchewan, whole-heartedly."
She lives in Weyburn, but there was already a "very strong" candidate for Weyburn-Bengough in Rose McInnis for the election.
"The opportunity came up for me to do something for the people, so I decided to run for Cannington," said Helfrick.
Despite the late start, she expects to get a lot of work done on the campaign, knocking on doors and meeting with people in the constituency. She doesn't expect the late start will hurt, because she believes people in Cannington want change.
Helfrick said health care has "flatlined" in Saskatchewan, so it will be one of her top priorities in the campaign.
She also voiced opposition to Enbridge's proposed Seven Stars Energy wind project in the RMs of Weyburn and Griffin. Enbridge announced in the summer it was pausing the project amid public backlash. The RM of Griffin falls within Cannington's territory.
Helfrick said she is passionate about repairing what she views as the disconnect between the provincial ministries and providing a more fluid service system, especially in health care.
