The Saskatchewan general election is shaping up to be a yawner with no game-changing events, issues or personal scandals expected to rock the boat prior to voting day on Oct. 28.
Donald Trump is not on the ballot!
The usual key issues so far are affordability, healthcare and education with the ruling Saskatchewan Party and the main opposition New Democratic Party offering their own platforms.
It’s not, however, a slam dunk for the Saskatchewan Party to hold all its seats with the new Saskatchewan United Party and the Buffalo Party also contending for votes in rural Saskatchewan where the Sask. Party has a stronghold.
The Saskatchewan United Party, which formed in 2022, has named two candidates who represented the Sask. Party as MLAs in the past, for example.
In addition, in the 2020 election, the Buffalo Party finished second in four rural ridings, and third place in the overall popular vote, despite running far fewer candidates than the Green Party or the Progressive Conservatives.
Premier Scott Moe is likely to play it safe and just take verbal jabs at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rather than slug toe-to-toe with the competition in the campaign.
The full slate of parties are the Saskatchewan United Party, Saskatchewan Party, Saskatchewan Green Party, New Democratic Party and the Buffalo Party.
So far, there is one independent candidate with the candidate nomination deadline on Oct. 12.
In the Lloydminster riding, voters have a choice between incumbent MLA Colleen Young, who is the Minister of Advanced Education, NDP hopeful Adam Tremblay and Patrick McNally with the Green Party.
Both know bi-provincial issues are always a fly in the ointment, whether it’s Saskatchewan or Alberta going to the polls.
Whoever gets elected, needs to pressure the Ministry of Health to replace the Jubilee Home and expand or upgrade the Lloydminster Hospital, which serves a large region.
Let’s hope both candidates also pitch the need for some new subsidized housing for low-income seniors and rent relief for seniors and single parents who don’t qualify for subsidized housing.
Education also needs to be properly funded as the lengthy job action and strikes by teachers over the past year focused the need for more resources in the classroom and new schools too.
Barring a major political earthquake or a Martian invasion, the outcome could be forgettable by Halloween.
Read more: Opinion: Lloyd not safe for someÂ
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