Regina Northeast hopefuls knock on doors
Saskatchewan will have a new MLA next week, with a byelection being held Wednesday in the Regina Northeast constituency.
Over time, it has traditionally been an NDP seat.
But like many constituencies in the province, it flipped to the Saskatchewan Party in the 2011 election. With six candidates running, and some recent polls suggesting the Sask. Party will be in tough to hold on to many of its urban seats, many political insiders are watching next Wednesday’s byelection as a bit of a litmus test of how voters are feeling ahead of the next general election.
Here is a rundown of the candidates, most of whom allowed the Leader-post to follow along as they knocked on doors within the constituency.
GARY GREWAL (SASKATCHEWAN PARTY)
Grewal was not made available to door-knock, but apologized and cited a “terrible mixup” for the reason why when reached by phone. A first-time candidate, he is an immigrant and the President of the India Canada Association of Saskatchewan.
Political insiders within the party suggest that at many doors — something witnessed first-hand by the Leader-post — there is an anti-immigration sentiment reminiscent of what is currently being seen in the United States.
With the Sask. Party hoping to retain the seat, some have suggested Grewal is being sheltered from some doorsteps.
“The response we have gotten from constituents has been not bad, it has been very positive so far,” said Grewal, when asked about his experiences on the doorstep.
Some cabinet ministers, as well as Premier Scott Moe, did go doorknocking with Grewal, whose messaging largely sticks to the Sask. Party’s main selling points: fighting the carbon tax and stewarding the economy.
KEN GREY (PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF SASKATCHEWAN)
Grey is one of those people who has long been involved in politics. He worked for the Progressive Conservatives for a portion of the party’s (last) time in government. He ran for the NDP in 2007 and lost. He founded in 2016 the shortlived, centrist Living Sky party.
Now he runs with the PCS with the pitch of being a fiscal conservative. When given the opportunity on doorsteps, he tells voters about the Sask. Party’s recent tax increases.
“That’s what usually gets them nodding their heads,” he says.
Grey says his No. 1 goal is to get the party’s message of fiscal responsibility out and is hopeful to garner enough votes to send a message to the Sask. Party.
REID HILL (SASKATCHEWAN LIBERAL PARTY)
If there is any hope of the Liberals’ grasping any sense of relevance in provincial politics, Hill, 30, is perhaps that hope. He has run previously under the Liberal banner and is currently the president of the party.
Hill admits, “It’s tough in this province” but vows to “Keep the Red Machine moving ” and hopes voters will “give us a chance.”
Hill’s hope is some voters can recognize he can offer a third voice, outside of the two parties currently occupying seats in the Legislative Assembly.
At one door, he offers his pitch: “I’m your Saskatchewan Liberal party candidate for the riding. and I’m just hoping you can consider us for a vote, we’re just trying to bring in some different kind of changes.”
Getting a “no thanks,” he says, “Just try and have a look at the brochure — I’m sure it will look great in the recycling. If you do have any questions in the future, even if you don’t want us this time, please do give us a call.”
At another door, the voter isn’t as kind: responding to his sales pitch with a simple, “No thank you. Not a chance in hell.”
YENS PEDERSEN (NDP)
If the election were to be called solely on the number of signs in front yards, the win would likely go to Pederson. NDP messaging — that of the Sask. Party’s “mismanagement, scandal and waste” — is resonating, at least with some voters
A lawyer who has failed twice at becoming an MLA, Pedersen is hoping his third try will be the charm.
He typically introduces himself at the doorstep, before saying, “I’m looking for your support and wondering if you have any questions for me.”
On one doorstep, he admits to a voter, “I’m not in control very much, even if I get elected” before assuring them the one thing he can control is his commitment to the constituency.
In speaking with another potential voter, he discusses the challenges of being a small-business owner and casually mentions a recent increase in provincial sales taxes and its effect on familyowned companies.
MARK W. REGEL (WESTERN INDEPENDENCE PARTY OF SASKATCHEWAN)
Despite the name, Regel insists the party’s main goal is not to remove the West from Canada. A first-time candidate, Regel is running an almost no-budget campaign, with the hope of reducing the crime rate through, in part, better education in jails.
He takes issue with how the Sask. Party has been governing, particularly its decision to hire a French-based company to build the Regina bypass over a Saskatchewan-based company.
“I looked at that and thought it was pretty poor.” he said.
More true to the party’s name, Regel does hope to stop a federal carbon tax and the flow of equalization dollars leaving Saskatchewan. JESSICA SCHROEDER (SASKATCHEWAN GREEN PARTY)
At 28, Schroeder is the youngest candidate in the byelection. She says she is running because she has volunteered with the party for a couple of years and she wanted to meet more of her neighbours to hear their concerns.
She lives in Glencairn and is running for the Green Party because they “believe every voice matters.”
“One of the biggest issues that has come up is fairness in wages,” she said, adding she is supportive of a minimum wage.