All of the votes have been counted, except for the mail-in ballots, with those counts beginning on Wednesday. Some of the constituencies where the votes are close will have to wait until all of the mail-in ballots for a more definitive result. They include Saskatoon Meewasin, which is NDP Leader Ryan Meili’s constituency.
The Saskatchewan Party Leader says his party asked who do you trust to take you through the pandemic and beyond to economic recovery and he is humbled and honoured that residents spoke with their votes. Scott Moe says back in 2007 when the Saskatchewan Party was first voted in, then Premier Brad Wall directed all the MLAs to work every day to be worthy of the public’s trust and that directive continues 13 years later.
Moe says the pandemic has left little of the world untouched, but Saskatchewan is coming through it better than most, because of everyone’s actions to stay safe. Now the work is to enact all of the campaign promises, which include cutting power bills by 10 per cent this year, reducing the small business tax rate to zero temporarily, and balancing the budget by 2024.
Moe believes we have every reason to be optimistic about our future, not just because of the resources we have here to supply the world, or the growing tech sector, but because of the people. NDP Leader Ryan Meili gave Moe a call to congratulate him on his win Monday night. Moe says he and Meili may have different policy ideas, but he doesn’t doubt Meili’s commitment to making Saskatchewan a better place to live.
Saskatchewan Party MLA for Saskatoon Northwest, Gord Wyant, who was the Education Minister prior to the election, says campaigning during a pandemic was a new experience for everyone. There were no opportunities to have large gatherings and physical distancing meant no shaking hands or having coffee parties, but all political candidates were still able to get out and get their message across.
While door knocking, Wyant heard parents who said there was concern about their children going back to school, but he says, most seemed to be pleased with the way things are going. He understands it’s a fluid situation, so the government will continue to meet with the Chief Medical Health Officer for any further directions.
