NDP Leadership candidates show unity on most issues
Two candidates vying to become the next New Democratic Party leader, squared off in a provincial leadership debate at the Library Theatre on Jan. 6. Ryan Meili, MLA Saskatoon Meewasin and Trent Wotherspoon, MLA Regina Rosemont made some of their plans known as they gear up for the leadership election on March 3 in Regina.
Even though the two faced off in the debate as they were asked some critical questions, they presented a united front on the issues in a majority of the views they shared.
They responded to questions related to urban parks and cuts by the Sask. Party, centralizing health regions, strengthening crown corporations and more. In relation to provincial funding cuts to urban parks like Moose Jaw’s Wakamow Valley, Meili and Wotherspoon agreed the parks need to be preserved and objected to government’s approach to what they describe as an important part of “Saskatchewan’s history and way of life.”
“That is very important as we’re here in Moose Jaw along the banks of Wakamow Valley but it is even more important to the province. The parks are important from a heritage perspective and as part of telling who we are and what our roots are. They are also very important from an environmental aspect and towards a better quality of life,” Wotherspoon said. “The attack of the Sask. Party on urban parks has been a damaging betrayal. Instead of having these parks on life support with cuts, they should be fully supported. They’re essential to building vibrant strong communities and a better quality of life that we deserve,” he added.
Meili agreed as he recalled growing up in Moose Jaw and skating in the parks. He stressed the importance of preserving urban parks and talked about the approach he would take on this matter. “The number of sites like Wakamow are part of the conservation of history and our way of life. They are much more than parks and for the government to approach it in the way they did is really backward,” he responded. “It is part of the larger trend with this government. They like to spring things on people, not providing any chance of consultation with the people affected most. It is the wrong approach. The approach I would take is very different. What I would like to see is something that happens along the lines of pre-budget consultations rather than surprising people with these decisions.”
In relation to health care, both Meili and Wotherspoon emphasized concerns surrounding the centralization of health regions and its effects, with primary focus on a prospective loss of local voices. Meili, being a family physician, however, gave insights into how his colleagues feel about the issue and said that health care professionals are fearful. “I’m a family physician and certainly I’ve been speaking to my colleagues and there’s a lot of fear in terms of the chaos that this change will bring—going from multiple health regions to one. One of the biggest fears, especially when speaking to colleagues working in northern and rural areas is the loss of local voices. I think it is going to be much harder to add your voice and see the kind of success like the one Moose Jaw had in relation to the hyperbaric chamber recently. It will be much more difficult with a centralized system.” He continued saying, “It is not the only thing that worries me about this amalgamation. It was sold as a cost-saving approach but nowhere have we seen where this has been done. I’m also concerned about who’s doing it. The Sask. Party likes to privatize and do cuts and that’s what worries me the most.”
Wotherspoon in his response said persons should ‘fight back.’ “That’s an area in which we need to be very vigilant right now. The spirited way Moose Jaw rallied for the hyperbaric chamber, I was proud to be a partner in that fight. Moose Jaw deserves a lot of credit for punching way above its weight with the hospital, library and crown corporations,” he said. He agreed with Meili that the centralization of the health care system takes away local voice. “It takes away local influence. This is an area for us to be active because it is critical that communities are ready to speak up, make their voices heard and fight back.”
The debate was hosted by the Moose Jaw North and Moose Jaw Wakamow NDP Constituency Associations.