SINGH AIMS TO REASSURE VOTERS
Concerns over pipeline, Weir’s ouster
SASKATOON Jagmeet Singh is downplaying fears that his opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, as well as his decision to oust a popular candidate in Regina, will cost the federal NDP in Saskatchewan at the polls next month.
Speaking at a campaign stop in Saskatoon on Friday, the leader of the federal NDP said he stands by his decision to remove Erin Weir from the party caucus over harassment allegations — a move that infuriated several veteran New Democrats in the province.
Conservative candidate Warren Steinley is thought to be the front-runner in Weir’s Regina— Lewvan seat, which the former New Democrat won by 132 votes in the 2015 election.
Singh on Friday said unionized workers at Evraz North America PLC’S steel plant outside Regina “deserve a lot better” than to be at the mercy of a commodity cycle. The union workers have traditionally supported the NDP, but are now talking openly about voting Conservative.
“It’s a difficult situation,” Singh said of United Steelworkers Local 5890’s support for the pro-pipeline Conservatives, before reiterating previous campaign pledges to invest in workers and build a more sustainable Canadian economy.
“I know that a lot of working people are worried about the future, and they’re worried because there’s been a lot of busts and booms, and those busts and booms have impacted a lot of provinces that rely on resources, and those commodities being high,” he said.
“Through no fault of their own, no matter how hard they work, if global volatility results in lower prices for those commodities, it means that they lose their work. And that’s really unfair.”
While the NDP are at risk of losing the steelworkers’ support, a handful of striking Water Security Agency employees represented by Unifor Local 820 showed up at the early morning event, which attracted around 200 NDP supporters and volunteers. Iain Phillips, who came equipped with an “On Strike” sign and an enormous Saskatchewan flag, said he and his colleagues decided to park themselves outside the rally to bring attention to their cause — a simmering dispute with the province over wages.
Their presence was not lost on Singh, who mentioned Unifor’s efforts while taking countless selfies with supporters. Singh blasted the Liberals for not following through on promises and the Conservatives for wanting to cut services.
Singh is the third federal leader to visit Saskatchewan since the election was called on Sept. 11. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau attended a town hall meeting in Saskatoon two weeks ago, while Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer attended a rally in the city last weekend.
It is not surprising that Singh, like Scheer, chose to support his party’s candidate in Saskatoon West, one of few Saskatchewan seats expected to be in play. Sheri Benson, who is seeking re-election, is thought to be in a tight race with Conservative candidate Brad Redekopp.
“I think it’ll do nothing but help the local campaign … It energizes campaigners, it helps people hear him in person and be able to feel that vibe from him — sort of rally the troops. It’s important that he’s here,” Benson said.
Singh’s visit comes at a challenging time for the party, which is trailing in polls, struggling to raise money, and about to lose a quarter of its sitting MPS. Seat projections have the party’s two seats in the province leaning Conservative.
Asked why his party’s plan to spend billions of dollars on services, including national pharmacare and full and partial dental coverage, does not appear to be resonating in Saskatchewan, Singh said people should not have to expect less from government.
“I’m going to say people do deserve better. I don’t care how hard it is to say that message and I don’t care how long it takes,” he said.