For those who haven’t decided which way to vote, here’s a brief rundown on where the Sask. Party and Saskatchewan NDP sit.
HEALTH CARE
Both parties promise to hire and retain more medical professionals and put more money into mental health and addictions services.
The NDP has said it would invest an extra $1.1 billion over four years into health care.
Some of the party’s additional promises include an online dashboard showing emergency room wait times and a nursing task force and human resources roundtable to help with future planning.
The Sask. Party says it will invest more than $2.6 billion into health-care infrastructure.
The party pointed to the 2024-25 provincial budget, saying construction has already started on a new breast health centre, and money has been allocated to long-term care facilities in La Ronge, Regina, Estevan, Watson and Grenfell.
Promises from the Sask. Party also include dropping surgical wait times to a three-month target.
TAXES
Both parties promise to save Saskatchewan residents money; the Sask. Party has offered tax credits and exemptions, and the NDP has offered tax cuts.
Some of the Sask. Party’s tax credit increases include the first-time homebuyer tax credit, the personal care home benefit for seniors, and the disability tax credit.
The party says it also plans to renew the carbon tax exemption on home heating if re-elected, claiming that would save households $481 a year.
The NDP platform guarantees that it would not raise taxes if elected.
Some of the cuts promised by the NDP include an immediate six-month fuel tax cut and a removal of the provincial sales tax on groceries and children’s clothing.
The party also promises a rental rates protection act, aiming to limit how often and how much a landlord can raise tenants’ rent.
EDUCATION
The Saskatchewan NDP says hundreds of teachers and educational assistants will be hired if the party is elected, reducing the growing class sizes.
Construction of schools in Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and White City will also be sped up, the party platform states.
The NDP says it would also work with teachers, school boards and education workers to address issues around classroom size and complexity.
The Sask. Party says it will continue to invest in education, pointing to a $180 million increase in school operating funds in the 2024-25 provincial budget.
One of the provincial budget investments cited by the Sask. Party include $2.4 million for a specialized support classrooms pilot, which the party says will help teachers and staff manage and address behavioural incidents.
ECONOMY
The Sask. Party cites its Saskatchewan Growth Plan as the foundation of its plan to keep the economy strong.
Population growth, creating 100,000 jobs, growing the province’s exports and increasing private-sector investment are some of the main goals it lists.
The party said the real GDP for Saskatchewan almost reached $78 billion last year, which was the second highest year-over-year growth in Canada.
Promises from the Saskatchewan NDP include raising the minimum wage, creating a business start-up loan program, and ensuring that contracts for public infrastructure projects will go to local companies and workers.
The NDP also promises to create a business roundtable with employers and workers to address labour force challenges.
CRIME
The NDP says it would scrap the marshals service that was introduced by the Sask. Party, and use those funds for existing law enforcement.
The party says it would work with the RCMP to hire 100 additional officers, and businesses, homeowners and places of worship would also be offered a rebate program for security equipment like lights and cameras.
The NDP promises to establish an intimate partner violence action plan and a missing persons office.
The Sask. Party says more than 500 law enforcement officers would be hired over the next four years if it’s re-elected, including 100 more municipal police officers and 14 new Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) officers.
The party also promises a strengthened SCAN Act, giving SCAN officers more authority to shut down abandoned and nuisance properties and address public intoxication, vandalism and disruptive behaviour.
HOMELESSNESS AND ADDICTIONS
The NDP says it would address the root causes of crime — issues like poverty, homelessness, mental health challenges, addictions and trauma.
The party promises increased funds for mental health and addictions supports, and says it would use Sask. Housing units that are sitting empty to bolster the amount of supportive housing in the province.
The Sask. Party says it would expand complex needs emergency shelters to more communities and create 500 more addiction treatment spots.
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