REGINA - It was a hectic and productive 2024 for Opposition Leader Carla Beck.
While she didn’t end the year in the Premier’s office as she had hoped, it was a productive year for Beck and the New Democrats as they made gains in the provincial election held this fall.
SaskToday sat down with Beck earlier this month, immediately after the wrapup of the fall sitting of the Legislature. In that interview, we discussed many of the issues facing the province including the most recent election.
On the end of the fall sitting
We're at the last day of a 10-day session, a session where we saw big changes on the floor of the Assembly. 31 brand-new MLAs enter and take their oath in that Assembly. And, you know, a session that we're feeling pretty proud of, how our team performed and hit the ground running as we promised Saskatchewan people that we would.
… You know, we committed to the people of Saskatchewan that we would continue to focus on the things that people tell us are most important to them.
Certainly at this time of year, and your listeners will be feeling this as well, as people get ready for Christmas, those affordability issues that have been plaguing Saskatchewan people for some time, they get more acute. You know, the pinch is real around Christmastime. We've continued to bring forward measures that would see some relief for Saskatchewan people, not in 2026 as the government measures proposed to do, but right away, because we know Saskatchewan people are struggling right now.
We've continued to highlight the failures in the healthcare system and brought forward solutions, such as a bipartisan healthcare roundtable to really dig in and start to find those solutions that we obviously need in healthcare so that Saskatchewan people can get the care that they need in this province. You know, this team has connected with people in their constituencies, within their shadow ministries, and we've had people coming here to tell the government about their concerns and where they're failing. Saskatchewan people can expect, over the next weeks and months, leading up to the spring session and the budget, for this team to continue to be out meeting with them, connecting with them, and bringing their concerns forward to the Assembly.
On the dynamics of the Legislature
You know, the seats (are) almost even in there, but also in terms of the words or the tone that the Premier has taken, you know, suggesting that he understands that they were given a message that Saskatchewan people expect change?
Unfortunately, I think we've already seen the government fall back into, you know, their old talking points, whether that's on healthcare or a number of other issues. This is a team, as the Official Opposition, that takes this role on with honour, and we'll continue to press for real change from this government, and we'll continue to work with Saskatchewan people to not only bring forth their concerns but build solutions that we desperately need in this province right now.
On the election campaign
You know, looking back, and it's funny how it can already seem like such a long time ago, this election campaign was an experience I certainly will never forget.
We're proud of the campaign that we ran. You know, I'm someone who's always been incredibly proud to be a farm kid from Saskatchewan and proud of this province and all that we've accomplished, but this election campaign allowed me to be right across this province and, if it's possible, even fall more deeply in love with this province, you know, the landscape, but most importantly, the people in this province, people who certainly understand where the challenges are that they face in their own lives and in their communities, but people who are always willing to put up their hand and be part of the solution to dig in and get things done. That's the same spirit that this team is going to approach the next four years, to hold this government to account as the Official Opposition, but to continue to show ourselves as the government in waiting in this province, and, you know, we look forward to that work.
On the urban-rural split
Yeah, I certainly understand that that's been the narrative coming out of this election, and if you look at a map, we hold seats in the major cities, the two largest cities, and in the northern half of the province, the Sask Party holds seats outside of those areas. But what we did see in this election was our vote share increase in every Sask Party-held seat across the province.
We saw incredible gains in a number of constituencies, and I think the success that we saw in that growth was really attributed to focusing, again, having a sharp focus on the things that people continue to tell us are most important to them. The cost of living. This government doesn't seem to understand how much people are struggling out there and need some relief. Not in 2026, but right away. How much our healthcare system is in crisis, how many people are going without the care that they need regardless of where they live in this province. Concerns about education continue to surface.
Parents being called at midday to come get their children with special needs from school because they simply don't have the supports. Continuing concerns around crime, mental health and addictions, especially at times like this. We saw success in this province and growth right across the province because we remained focused on those things.
Those issues aren't just an issue in the north and in the larger cities. Those same issues came up regardless of which community that we were in. We're going to continue to get out, meet people where they're at, listen to them, and build those solutions that they expect their leaders to be focused on building right across this province.
I understand we have more work to do. I couldn't be more excited to continue with this work.
On why the NDP has focused on removing the gas tax
Because it would have such a big impact for so many people in this province. There are only so many measures that we can or the government could undertake to immediately provide relief to Saskatchewan people. Suspending the gas tax for six months, something that we've seen done in Alberta, Ontario, in Manitoba, that has had benefit to their citizens, something that we think the government should have done two years ago when we started raising it and certainly should do it at any time to offer people relief in this province.
When we were on the campaign trail, I heard from a truck driver when we were stopped at Davidson, someone who's from Manitoba. He sought us out to come over and say how much of a difference that had made to his business and his bottom line. I know families who are gassing up, you know, ahead of taking their kids to hockey tournaments this weekend.
They would really benefit from a 15 cent a litre drop at the pumps. And again, I said this today in the House, but we'll
REGINA - It was a hectic and productive 2024 for Opposition Leader Carla Beck.
While she didn’t end the year in the Premier’s office as she had hoped, it was a productive year for Beck and the New Democrats as they made gains in the provincial election held this fall.
SaskToday sat down with Beck earlier this month, immediately after the wrapup of the fall sitting of the Legislature. In that interview, we discussed many of the issues facing the province including the most recent election.
On the end of the fall sitting
We're at the last day of a 10-day session, a session where we saw big changes on the floor of the Assembly. 31 brand-new MLAs enter and take their oath in that Assembly. And, you know, a session that we're feeling pretty proud of, how our team performed and hit the ground running as we promised Saskatchewan people that we would.
… You know, we committed to the people of Saskatchewan that we would continue to focus on the things that people tell us are most important to them.
Certainly at this time of year, and your listeners will be feeling this as well, as people get ready for Christmas, those affordability issues that have been plaguing Saskatchewan people for some time, they get more acute. You know, the pinch is real around Christmastime. We've continued to bring forward measures that would see some relief for Saskatchewan people, not in 2026 as the government measures proposed to do, but right away, because we know Saskatchewan people are struggling right now.
We've continued to highlight the failures in the healthcare system and brought forward solutions, such as a bipartisan healthcare roundtable to really dig in and start to find those solutions that we obviously need in healthcare so that Saskatchewan people can get the care that they need in this province. You know, this team has connected with people in their constituencies, within their shadow ministries, and we've had people coming here to tell the government about their concerns and where they're failing. Saskatchewan people can expect, over the next weeks and months, leading up to the spring session and the budget, for this team to continue to be out meeting with them, connecting with them, and bringing their concerns forward to the Assembly.
On the dynamics of the Legislature
You know, the seat's almost even in there, but also in terms of the words or the tone that the Premier has taken, you know, suggesting that he understands that they were given a message that Saskatchewan people expect change. Unfortunately, I think we've already seen the government fall back into, you know, their old talking points, whether that's on healthcare or a number of other issues. This is a team, as the official opposition, that takes this role on with honour, and we'll continue to press for real change from this government, and we'll continue to work with Saskatchewan people to not only bring forth their concerns but build solutions that we desperately need in this province right now.
On the election campaign
You know, looking back, and it's funny how it can already seem like such a long time ago, this election campaign was an experience I certainly will never forget.
We're proud of the campaign that we ran. You know, I'm someone who's always been incredibly proud to be a farm kid from Saskatchewan and proud of this province and all that we've accomplished, but this election campaign allowed me to be right across this province and, if it's possible, even fall more deeply in love with this province, you know, the landscape, but most importantly, the people in this province, people who certainly understand where the challenges are that they face in their own lives and in their communities, but people who are always willing to put up their hand and be part of the solution to dig in and get things done. That's the same spirit that this team is going to approach the next four years, to hold this government to account as the official opposition, but to continue to show ourselves as the government in waiting in this province, and, you know, we look forward to that work.
On the urban-rural split
Yeah, I certainly understand that that's been the narrative coming out of this election, and if you look at a map, we hold seats in the major cities, the two largest cities, and in the northern half of the province, the Sask Party holds seats outside of those areas. But what we did see in this election was our vote share increase in every Sask Party-held seat across the province.
We saw incredible gains in a number of constituencies, and I think the success that we saw in that growth was really attributed to focusing, again, having a sharp focus on the things that people continue to tell us are most important to them. The cost of living. This government doesn't seem to understand how much people are struggling out there and need some relief.
Not in 2026, but right away. How much our healthcare system is in crisis, how many people are going without the care that they need regardless of where they live in this province. Concerns about education continue to surface.
Parents being called at midday to come get their children with special needs from school because they simply don't have the supports. Continuing concerns around crime, mental health and addictions, especially at times like this. We saw success in this province and growth right across the province because we remained focused on those things.
Those issues aren't just an issue in the north and in the larger cities. Those same issues came up regardless of which community that we were in. We're going to continue to get out, meet people where they're at, listen to them, and build those solutions that they expect their leaders to be focused on building right across this province.
I understand we have more work to do. I couldn't be more excited to continue with this work.
On why the NDP has focused on removing the gas tax
Because it would have such a big impact for so many people in this province. There are only so many measures that we can or the government could undertake to immediately provide relief to Saskatchewan people. Suspending the gas tax for six months, something that we've seen done in Alberta, Ontario, in Manitoba, that has had benefit to their citizens, something that we think the government should have done two years ago when we started raising it and certainly should do it at any time to offer people relief in this province.
When we were on the campaign trail, I heard from a truck driver when we were stopped at Davidson, someone who's from Manitoba. He sought us out to come over and say how much of a difference that had made to his business and his bottom line. I know families who are gassing up, you know, ahead of taking their kids to hockey tournaments this weekend.
They would really benefit from a 15 cent a litre drop at the pumps. And again, I said this today in the House, but we'll continue to say this. I don't know if the government doesn't understand or doesn't believe that people are struggling as much as they are, but they really, you know, story after story of families who are making impossible decisions right now.
They need a break. They can't wait until 2026. That's why we're going to continue to focus on the ways that we can provide that relief. Top of the list, suspending that gas tax.
On calling to remove the PST from all grocery items and from kids clothing
Yeah, you know, my kids are a bit older now, but I remember those days when we were running from dance class to hockey practice. And it was, you know, granolas and cut fruit and, you know, rotisserie chickens or cooked chickens that were keeping us, keeping the family fed.
These are not luxuries. This is a tax that the Sask Party chooses to put on a whole suite of things that people rely on. Kids' clothes is another one.
These aren't luxuries, you know, kids' clothing. These are ways that they could provide families who are struggling just a little bit of relief. Now, the government has chosen to not understand or not understand the urgency that Saskatchewan families are facing when it comes to paying bills and just getting by.
This team does understand. We'll continue to put forth measures that would provide the relief that Saskatchewan people, so many, two-thirds of the people in this province consistently are saying that they need.
On the NDP’s emergency motions during the session
You know, after the election, we heard signals, words, from the Premier and others on the government side that they had heard the people of the province that they had work to do or that there needed to be some change. You know, we've given them plenty of ideas about ways that they could improve the number one issues that are still facing people in this province when it comes to the cost of living. We've brought forth motion after motion when it comes to health care.
You know, a bipartisan committee to actually dig into the critical issues of retaining health care workers in this province, ensuring people have the health care that they need. These are things that can't wait. The government has signaled that they've turned over a new leaf, but we see the same old, same old from this government.
Same talking points, shouting down ideas, refusing to even debate, refusing to allow our members and committee to even discuss some of these issues. We came here with the job to do as the official opposition. We have committed to focusing on the things that Saskatchewan people need fixed in this province, and we're not going to stop.
They can continue to shout down our motions. I think it shows the people of this province that this is a government that still thinks that they have no lessons to learn. They do, and we're going to continue to do our job.
On the Conflict of Interest ruling against Gary Grewal
Your listeners will know this doesn't pass a sniff test. This is an MLA who was found by the conflict of interest commissioner to have benefited almost to the tune of a million dollars through social services clients using his motels. He was found guilty of breaking the law, and the conflict of interest commissioner charged this legislative assembly with assessing and allocating a penalty. Now, the government wants to suggest that it's off limits to be talking about this.
I think this is one of the things that Saskatchewan people expect us to be talking about. I don't think the people in this province think that it's okay just because someone who benefited in this way, breaking the law, while he was a sitting member, because he didn't run again, that there's no penalty. Saskatchewan people know that that is not how they expect their leaders to behave.
Saskatchewan people would expect that there would be some sort of penalty assessed, and if it's not within the rules, then we need to change the rules. This government wants to turn the page. They don't want to talk about it.
We're going to continue to bring it up because it's not right, and it's one of the things in this province that needs to be fixed.
On where we stand in education following a tumultuous 2024
You know, this is a government that brought in devastating cuts to our kids' classrooms in 2017 after not fully funding growth and inflation in those classrooms for a number of years.
We have seen per-pupil funding in this province. The amount of money that goes to educate our kids actually dropped, going from one of the highest per-pupil funding governments in the country to the lowest, and our kids are paying the price. Now, the government suggests that, you know, they're going to deal with this issue this time, but what we've heard from this government time and time again is talking points, talking points like the biggest budget ever in education while we've watched that per-pupil funding drop, shifting to per capita funding.
No one funds education that way. The reality is this is an investment that can't wait. Those kids who are in our classrooms today cannot wait to get that good start that we all want for our kids.
This is a government that says that they've learned their lesson. I think the proof of that will be in this upcoming budget, but also will be a change in how they respect our teachers, respect the autonomy of school boards, and really focus on restoring the damage that they've done to our kids' education over a decade. Now, I hope that that happens, but I have to admit that I'm cynical because I already hear the same talking points from that government that got us here in the first place.
On health care
Well, these issues continue. You know, we had a gentleman here today whose father was subjected to unthinkable conditions in seniors' care in our public healthcare system. We hear stories still of women who are waiting with lumps in their breasts for an unimaginable amount of time, faced with the option of paying out of pocket or having to go out of province just to get basic healthcare in this province.
People who are waiting on some of the longest wait lists in the entire country. People continue to go without family doctors. We continue to see closures and bypasses in rural Saskatchewan, leading to crowded ERs and wait times that are the longest in Canada.
This is a government that has failed to even acknowledge in any real way that there is a problem. Now they're already going back to the same old talking points that have papered over the reality in this province and have kept them from getting to the table and finding solutions. Our motion was to get those who are really on the front lines, those in communities, those experts, and start finding solutions to what, frankly, other provinces have been able to do, turn around those retention rates.
Again, this government voted that motion down. And Saskatchewan people simply cannot wait for better healthcare. People are dying on wait lists right now in this province.
We'll continue to raise this issue because Saskatchewan people deserve better.
On the Trump tariffs threat
One of the things, of course, that is preoccupying people on both sides of the border and throughout North America is the looming tariffs that the incoming President in the U.S. has stated he's going to impose on Canada and Mexico.
Something that would devastate livelihoods, economies on both sides of the border. Something that would increase costs for consumers at a time that, frankly, people cannot absorb. This is a serious issue that requires the focus, the Team Canada, all hands on deck approach, to making the case, bringing in those who can show the impact that this would have on both sides of the border and finding a path out of this.
I think that is top of mind for many going into this holiday season and certainly before the inauguration of President Trump in the U.S. This is something we heard at Agribition. This is something we heard with the Ag producers recently, that this is really top of mind. Those issues around trade in a province that is export-dependent, like Saskatchewan, those industries that are dependent on trade and the free flow of trade on both sides of the border.
This really is an issue that will continue to be top of mind, I'm sure, over the holidays and into the new year. That certainly is front and center when it comes to the issues on the horizon.
