Moe preparing for first election as Sask. Party leader

Premier Scott Moe already has a few elections under his belt, but the upcoming contest will be his first leading the Saskatchewan Party.

Moe said it feels somewhat different this time, explaining he’s much more involved in the provincial campaign and won’t be in his own riding as much.

The schedule will be quite different as well.

“The first difference would be that I don’t seem to be the one making the schedule,” Moe said with a laugh.

Moe will be travelling around the province, making appearances with candidates in their ridings. He expects to be busy but politics is inherently busy; Moe compared it to having your own business.

“It will keep you as busy as you choose to or not, and I think your success will go with the effort,” said Moe.

He said he has always been able to keep himself busy, when he was an MLA, a minister and now as premier.

The last time the people of Saskatchewan went to the polls, Brad Wall was at the helm of the Saskatchewan Party. Moe was elected leader in January of 2018 after Wall’s retirement.

Moe is not nervous thinking about filling Wall’s shoes.

“I don’t compare myself to Brad. I look at what we have to do each and every day. I collaborate with cabinet and caucus and we just, essentially, are trying to make the very best decisions that we can as a unit,” said Moe.

When asked about the importance and pressure of being leader during an election, Moe said leadership is important. But he focused on collaboration, comparing his leadership style to what you would see on a hockey team.

“You don’t win the Stanley Cup with one player; the same is true in politics. You need a solid team. You need four solid lines and we’re very fortunate in the Saskatchewan Party to have that,” he said.

Moe talked about having one of the most experienced cabinets in the country, with two of the longest-serving ministers: Don Morgan and Donna Harpauer.

During the campaign there will be comparisons between himself and NDP Leader Ryan Meili. Moe seems confident in the outcome and believes the way the Saskatchewan Party has reacted to the federal carbon tax will distinguish it from opponents.

“I have had the opportunity to stand up for the people of this province. I’m not sure the leader of the opposition is able to say that,” Moe said.

Whoever becomes premier will lead a province in a difficult situation, between a flagging economy, a huge deficit in the budget and a pandemic state of emergency. Moe said he still wants to be premier for two reasons.

The first is because of the people, he said, talking about the aftermath of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash as an example.

“But what I saw in the days and weeks after that event was the resiliency of people in this province, the generosity of people in this province and the compassion of the people in this province. (It was) unlike, I think, (what) anyone has had the opportunity to see, to my knowledge, around the world,” said Moe.

Moe also said he wants to lead the province because of the opportunities in representing the people and doing what’s best for it. He is bullish on economic growth post-pandemic, which will be needed to keep people’s kids in Saskatchewan.

“There are generations in this province that didn’t have that opportunity, mine included. Many of my childhood, school friends don’t live here anymore,” he said.

The election is expected to be held Oct. 26.