The four candidates for the Cut Knife - Turtleford provincial riding are promoting four very different agendas for Saskatchewan. (File Photo/CKOM)

By Josh Ryan

Crowded race

Cut Knife, Turtleford MLA candidates begin campaign

Oct 9, 2020 | 11:33 AM

Heading into the provincial election in Saskatchewan, one of the more potentially interesting riding is that of Cut Knife – Turtleford. Not only is there no incumbent for the region, there are four candidates for four separate parties looking to enact four different agenda’s.

(Submitted Photo/Ryan Domotor)

Ryan Domotor won the contested nomination for the Sask. Party back in November and has spent the past year meeting with residents to learn of their requests and needs. He said the main concern has been health care, with questions about what affect the COVID-19 pandemic will have past it’s short term impact on the economy. This has made avoiding cuts to services important for many residents in rural Saskatchewan.

“So that the services that are being provided currently stay in place,” Domotor said.

Heading into the election, Domotor said he wasn’t sure what to expect, but is excited and ready to campaign in a busy region. In addition to health care, he’s focused on education, particularly maintaining smaller schools with children between kindergarten and Grade 6.

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“Where there’s maybe only 35-40 students, rather than having them go to a bigger centre,” he said. “Once they get into that grade seven and junior high school, they’re probably more OK with them going to bigger schools.”

Domotor is also happy with his party’s focus on trying to get the economy rolling, with measures meant to provide some assistance to business owners and entrepreneurs.

“It’s important that we make sure small businesses can survive this,” he said.

(Submitted Photo/Matt Fedler)

After having originally won his party’s bye election for the riding in 2017, Matt Fedler is excited to push forward their plan to show residents a way forward.

Fedler said he feels very good about the NDP’s positions on multiple issues and how their schedule is progressing.

“We’re unveiling more about the platform everyday,” Fedler said. “I think people are excited to elect a government that puts people first.”

Fedler is driving during this particular cycle because of his disappointment in the province’s rejection of the suicide prevention plan laid out earlier this year. He said the issues surrounding mental health are sorely lacking concern and effort.

“It’s an area that this government has ignored, especially during the times we’re living in,” he said.

Fedler said another focus will be continuing to push the party’s announcement prior to the election season of an intention to ban corporate and union donations to political parties.

“It would be naive to think these corporations are giving out of the kindness of their heart and not expecting some return on investment,” he said. “It’s the one issue that effects all others issues.”

He also said he feels a plan to shift from a top down approach in government will benefit residents in a significant way, providing more investment in people.

“Those people are the folks who will be spending their money in the province and building up the economy,” he said.

(Submitted Photo/Richard Nelson)

The addition of the Buffalo Party to Saskatchewan politics throws another wrinkle to voting choices this fall and Richard Nelson hopes to be at the forefront of it.

Formerly an enthusiastic supporter of the Saskatchewan Party, Nelson said he feels that those efforts haven’t resulted in change. By introducing a party that supports separation, he feels that is the best way for change to occur, compared to continuing to advocate with the established conservative party in the province that he feels has leaned towards more left wing policies.

“Putting secession on the table is probably the only way we’re going to get the recognition from Ottawa that we need,” Nelson said. “So, that’s why I am here.”

While part of the wider Wexit movement, the Buffalo Party has pulled from a full western united front and Nelson thinks that will help them to narrow their focus. He said the goal is to simply have the federal government treat Saskatchewan the same deal as they do Quebec.

“We would like the same calculation and equalization that Quebec enjoys, we would like the same control over our pension plan that Quebec enjoys, we would like control over our police that Quebec enjoys,” Nelson said. “If we had that same deal, we would be so much more prosperous in this province.”

In putting separation on the table, Nelson believes they can look to Europe as an example of how things would operate. In addressing major issues like crime and poverty, he said that everything starts with first providing the pathway to good jobs.

“Government creates the conditions for people to shine,” Nelson said. “If people have good options, they will make good decisions.”

Because the Buffalo Party has fielded candidates in ridings that the Saskatchewan Party has won in convincing fashion previously, Nelson doesn’t believe those who worry about a split conservative vote poses a risk to residents.

“So, you can still split the Sask. Party riding and not let the NDP into the legislature,” Nelson said. “So, for the Buffalo Party, we will win our ridings or lose them, we will not change the balance of power.”

The Green Party is also being represented in the region by Patrick McNally, whose candidacy was not made available prior to publication.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports