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Less than one week into the 2021 election campaign leaders from Canada’s three main political parties spent time in Saskatchewan.
The shortest visit was with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.
Supporters braved the rain holding red signs and cheered as they welcomed him to Regina.
Two liberal candidates, Susan Cameron with Regina-Lewvan and Sean McEarchern with Regina-Wascana, were at the stop.
“As we get through this pandemic we have to continue to step up for each other,” Trudeau said in his brief message. “That was the announcement we made today, that we are going to keep workplaces and schools even safer.”
As part of the Liberal campaign, Trudeau hopes to move forward on investments in ventilation for small business, community centers and schools across the country.
“That’s a big piece of keeping people safe,” he explained. “We’re also moving forward with 10 days of paid sick leave to make sure that if you catch a cold, or if you have a sniffle, you don’t have to make a choice between going into work or losing your paycheck.”
For Cameron, Trudeau’s presence was proof that lessons were learned from the 2019 election.
“(The) prime minister did not visit Regina in the previous election (in 2019),” Cameron said. “And here he is in the first week, a crucial time in the campaign. Showing up and telling us that Saskatchewan is valuable, is important, and that’s my takeaway today.”
Trudeau did not take media questions at this campaign stop.
Conservative leader only one to stop in Saskatoon
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole spent Friday evening with between 150-200 supporters at the Kickin’ Horse Saloon in Saskatoon’s Prairieland Park.
(Brady Lang/650 CKOM)
He highlighted Saskatchewan’s leadership in the resource sector.
“It’s not only creating jobs here, it’s securing hundreds of jobs in Atlantic Canada (too). Your success is Canada’s success,” he said. “That is Canada at it’s best, leading the world and supporting one another.”
Earlier this week BHP announced it would spend billions of dollars over the next six years bringing the Jansen potash mine online.
One of O’Toole’s campaign priorities is the cost of living and inflation. He told supporters Friday night that seniors and families are struggling the most.
“The cost of food? Going up. The cost of clothes for your kids, back to school time? Going up. The cost of fuel for farming families–for commuting families? Going up.”
O’Toole categorized the timing of the election during the COVID-19 pandemic as reckless.
Like Trudeau, O’Toole did not speak to the media at the event.
NDP’s leader makes a day of it
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh spent the day Friday in Saskatchewan with several stops.
It started Friday morning with an appearance on John Gormley Live. He discussed his party’s plan to tax the ultra-rich to help pay for things like infrastructure and dental care for all Canadians.
“You know everyday workers pay their fair share, why should it be that just because you’re a billionaire you don’t pay your fair share,” he said to Gormley.
Singh then travelled to Cowessess First Nation, the community that discovered 751 unmarked graves earlier this summer near a former residential school site.
To round out the day Singh met with supporters in Regina’s Cathedral neighbourhood late Friday afternoon.
He spent time chatting and taking some pictures outside a coffee shop.
Gurjinder Lehal went to the short event.
“To join, to link with the youth is something I really like about him,” Lehal explained about his support of Singh.
The election is scheduled for September 20.
With files from 980 CJME’s Mattea Columpsi, 650 CKOM’s Brady Lang and 980 CJME’s Dom Lucyk