Saskatchewan Party, NDP leaders face off on health care, economy in election debate

REGINA — Saskatchewan’s two main political leaders hammered each other Wednesday on health care, crime and the economy in their first and only debate in the lead-up to the Oct. 28 provincial election.

Standing in the legislature, NDP Leader Carla Beck told the televised debate that people deserve better than what Scott Moe’s 17-year-old Saskatchewan Party has left them, while Moe defended his record and took swipes at the federal government.

Beck promised to make life more affordable by suspending the gas tax for six months and removing the provincial sales tax from children’s clothes, while spending billions more on health care and education.

Her promises are to cost $3.65 billion over four years, but she said she would balance the budget at the end of her term by making cuts to Saskatchewan Party government waste and spending more effectively.

“I see opportunity in every corner of this province. But under Scott Moe and the Sask. Party, there’s too much opportunity being left on the table and too many Saskatchewan people being left behind,” Beck said.

“It doesn’t have to be this way.”

Moe said his government has made record investments in health and education, and he has proposed lowering personal income taxes and offering tax credits for those looking to buy homes or start families.

His promises are to cost $1.2 billion over four years, with plans to balance the budget in 2027.

“The Saskatchewan Party wants to lower your taxes and put more money back into your pockets, so that you can decide how to spend it,” Moe said.

“I’m so proud of our province and all that we have been able to achieve together.”

Moe questioned how Beck would pay for her commitments, saying her platform has financial holes. Beck said it’s fully costed with approval from a former deputy finance minister.

Moe also said people should worry about the days of “decline and closure” brought on by the old NDP government, which lost in power in 2007.

“Mr. Moe, people are getting tired of you talking about 17 years ago,” Beck responded.

She said Moe can’t be trusted to keep his word, saying he raised taxes as premier and has not made investments needed to get the health and education systems back on track.

She added the Saskatchewan Party has added billions to the debt and hasn’t balanced many budgets while in office.

Moe said two of his budgets were balanced over the last term and he wouldn’t make cuts to services if re-elected.

He took aim at the federal NDP for having a supply and confidence agreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government, which he says has made life more unaffordable through the federal carbon levy.

Beck shot back at any suggestion she supports the consumer carbon price.

“Mr. Moe, we’re in a provincial debate right now,” she said. “People at home are waiting for health care, their kids aren’t getting the supports they need.

“I’ve been very clear when it comes to any federal leader, doesn’t matter the political stripe. If there are programs that are put forward that stand to benefit people in this province, I will be at that table making sure we get the best deal possible for people in this province.”

Moe then asked her, “What did you say to (federal NDP Leader) Jagmeet Singh?”

On crime, the two leaders promised to hire more officers and boost support for mental health and addictions services.

Moe said a new police force, known as the Saskatchewan Marshals Service, is in the works, while Beck has proposed scrapping it and reinvesting the dollars into the RCMP.

Beck said Saskatchewan’s crime rate has grown under Moe and many people don’t feel safe going out at night.

She also took a dig at two former Saskatchewan Party government members who have recently faced criminal charges. One was ejected from government caucus last year for charges of procuring sex, which were stayed when he took an alternative measures program.

Another former government member faces an assault by choking charge.

“It’s no wonder Mr. Moe can’t even control the crime in his own team,” Beck said.

Moe said he plans to build 500 recovery spaces and would make drugs harder to get.

On the economy, Moe said some of Beck’s platform doesn’t mention certain industries. He also said his record shows growing exports and jobs, which means more money for health and education.

“We’re seeing those jobs created today, and we’re seeing all communities be a part of that great opportunity,” he said.

Beck said many rural communities are being left behind and she supports growing all sectors.

She also said a lack of health services, with temporary hospital closures in some towns, has made it difficult for businesses to invest in those communities.

After the debate, Moe didn’t claim victory.

“If there is a winner tonight, it would be Saskatchewan people, because they had a better opportunity to understand the platforms,” he told reporters.

Beck said she thought she had a good performance.

“I think there’s always probably one or two you’re going to think about or keep you up at night, you know come up with a different answer. But all in all, I was proud to present our plan, and Saskatchewan people will have a choice.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2024.

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press