Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young is pictured socializing with Sask Party supporters at the Paradise Hill Community Hall last Thursday night during the constituency’s annual fundraising Steak Night Barbecue and Silent Auction. The event acts as a fundraising kickoff for the October 2024 election. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
With Saskatchewan’s 30th general election scheduled for Oct. 28, 2024, Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young isn’t wasting any time.
Young, who was first elected in November 2014 and has represented the Saskatchewan Party ever since, could be found rubbing elbows with potential voters last Thursday night at the Paradise Hill Community Hall during the party’s annual fundraising dinner and silent auction.
“Tonight is our Lloydminster constituency fundraiser,” said Young prior to dinner.
“We’ve had this as an annual fundraiser since 2019 and then, of course, COVID put everything on the back burner, so we were anxious to get things going again this year and get out and get the communities supporting the constituency, while also making sure that kettle is full come next election.”
Young also isn’t wasting any time due to the fact she has some competition in the upcoming election from former Sask Party president, James Thorsteinson, who announced he was running for leadership in late April.
“I do have competition, so right now the idea is to get out, get support and have memberships sold and get people out to vote for me.”
Young also invited a couple of special guest speakers to last Thursday’s fundraiser and was looking forward to hearing what they had to say.
“Our speakers tonight are the Honourable Christine Tell, who’s the minister of corrections, policing and public safety, who will be talking a little about rural crime and some of the things the government has done to augment the services of the RCMP in the area to the residents up here … she’s also brought along Robert Freberg who’s our Saskatchewan chief firearms officer who will be speaking about legislation that’s in place, his role in that legislation, and the role they’re doing to push back on the federal government,” she said.
Young also explained she’s learned quite a bit since being elected nearly a decade ago.
“I’ve learned lots about listening to people, advocating for my constituents and working as hard as I can to support them in whatever they’re challenged with and want to get resolved,” she said.
“I love doing it because I love people. I’m a people person; I think another part of it for me is women in leadership. We need more of that in government. It brings a whole different perspective and provides a strength people want in order to see some of the changes that need to happen in government.”
