SASKATOON — Greg Brkich said the Saskatchewan Party is no longer the same conservative grassroots organization it was more than two decades ago, which made him decide to come out of retirement and run for Saskatoon Southeast in the coming general election.
Brkich ran under the Sask. Party where he represented the constituency of Arm River, formerly Arm River-Watrous, but now seeks a legislative seat under the Saskatchewan United Party that was formed by Nadine Wilson last year. He served in the legislature from 1999 to 2020.
Wilson was also a former member of the Sask. Party but formed the SUP after a falling out with the Sask. Party under Premier Scott Moe. Denis Allchurch is another ex-Sask. Party member who is part of SUP’s ticket for the Meadow Lake constituency.
Brkich said he knew Wilson and had worked with her at the legislative assembly since the 2007 provincial election when he won the Saskatchewan Rivers constituency from then-incumbent Lon Borgens of the Saskatchewan NDP.
“When [Wilson] worked with the [SUP], I started following it. Then I met SUP Leader John Hermack, an intelligent and down-to-earth person. After that, I started becoming involved again,” said Brkich.
“When I started in 1999, it [the Saskatchewan Party] was a grassroots party. I think the Saskatchewan Party has drifted away from that. I was very impressed with the [SUP] leadership, so I gave them a hand however I could.”
He said if elected under the SUP banner, he would work to maintain the province's economic growth. He sees much potential for Saskatchewan as long as the government is fiscally responsible, which is the same vision as SUP Leader Hermack.
“John is a leader, and we want to lower taxes. We need tax relief in this province. We're just taxing too much. This government is spending too much. And we need health care reform. We need more autonomy for Saskatchewan Instead of being tied to Ottawa,” said Brkich.
“When we [Saskatchewan Party] started in 1999, we were a grassroots party. The present government isn't anymore, and I don't think it's listening to the people. It's overspending. We must return to a smaller government, with less spending and better management.”
Brkich said the SUP wants to cut the provincial sales tax from six per cent to three and eliminate the gas tax as among the policies they want to introduce if they ever get the chance to form the government.
“We need to get back to the basics. This province takes in a lot of money and seems like it's not being spent right. We need to prioritize that, get back to common sense spending, and give people some relief. The people I talk to are struggling daily, paycheck to paycheck, and you shouldn't be struggling in this province,” he said.
“We pay a lot of federal tax, 33 per cent of our income tax. The income tax goes to the Feds, but never mind the province share, the PST and the GST, the carbon tax, regulation taxes, and regulation fees. They're just taking money constantly from us. We must get back and let people manage their money (4:20) rather than just taxing them.”
