(Submitted Photo/Clayton Poole)

By Julia Squires

Election season

Clayton Poole NDP candidate for Cut Knife-Turtleford

Oct 8, 2024 | 5:13 PM

A political newcomer has entered the race to be next MLA for the Cut Knife – Turtleford riding.

Clayton Poole is running as the NDP candidate and he’s entering over what he sees as a breakdown in social services.

“We’re the only economy that’s shrunk before, during and after the pandemic,” he said.

“We’ve lost 40,000 rural jobs and it just seems like everything is getting harder and prices are going up and our hospitals are falling apart,” he said.

According to his candidate profile, he grew up in Naicam where the family grew grain, raised livestock and had an apiary for honey.

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“I’ve always been a person to help.”

Throughout his career, he has worn numerous hats including working as a paramedic, a construction worker, and driller in the oilpatch.

Poole said another reason he felt the need to run was because his best friend and NDP candidate for Rosthern-Shellbrook Mark Thunderchild had announced his run.

“It seemed like the right time to do what I can,” said Poole said.

In his riding, the candidate said healthcare and education were top of mind as educators are having a difficult time getting help in their classrooms and medical clinics and hospitals have part-time positions.

“They’re not attracting the nurses and doctors that can stay out there,” he said.

“When new nurses coming out of school, they can’t afford a part-time position, they need a full-time position, they need a contract.”

Poole makes up the third candidate for the riding that includes SaskParty Incumbent James Thorsteinson and Steve Gessner, who is running for the Sask. United Party. He explained that while he’s been out canvassing, there is a misconception that the provincial party is controlled or connected to the national party.

“We are Saskatchewan first and foremost,” he said, noting potential constituents have asked if the NDP will increase taxes and cut jobs.

The answer to that Poole said was no.

“We are for our healthcare and our education and our economy.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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