Meili confident as he campaigns in Regina
During Regina visit, NDP'S leader says he's `betting on people' to chose his party
NDP Leader Ryan Meili spent Friday morning in the province's most closely decided constituency from 2016, an unusual spot to deliver a message of confidence just three days before an election.
He appeared with Noor Burki, his candidate in Regina Coronation Park, which should be low-hanging fruit for a pickup. The NDP lost it by just 147 votes four years ago. Meili said people can vote for the change they want, and get it with an NDP government.
Asked why he chose a constituency he should have in the bag, rather than a tougher riding that could help vault the NDP over the top to a majority, Meili said he also feels good about constituencies like Regina Rochdale, which the Saskatchewan Party won by 2,215 votes in 2016. He talked up a drivein rally he expected to attract hundreds of motorists to Evraz Place in Regina on Friday evening.
“The momentum is with us right now, and our team and our supporters are really excited as we head into election day,” he said.
Meili was hesitant to address speculation about how many seats his party can pick up. He declined to assume the role of a Las Vegas bookie and set the over-under number for the NDP seat count after Oct. 26.
“I'd be betting on people making the right choice today as they vote Monday, voting for change that will actually improve our lives,” he said.
He again cast the 2020 election as a choice between NDP investment and Saskatchewan Party cuts.
“What will you see from an NDP government? You'll see smaller classes, shorter wait times, safer long-term care, higher wages and more jobs right here in Saskatchewan as we put Sask. first. Cuts versus investment — that's the choice.”
Meili said the knives came out for schools, health care and Crowns in 2017, the last time the Saskatchewan Party faced heavy fiscal pressures. But the Saskatchewan Party quickly shot back with its go-to response about the NDP'S cuts to health care 25 years ago.
“Ryan Meili and the NDP are sounding more and more desperate and ridiculous as they revert to the same tired old scare tactics they use every campaign,” said a Saskatchewan Party news release that went on to compare Meili to his unsuccessful NDP predecessors. “They keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”
Also on Friday, Meili stood by comments supporting a mandatory mask policy at the polls, one day after he appeared to disagree with Elections Saskatchewan's decision to merely recommend masks without requiring them for voters.
“If you had a legitimate reason, a medical reason why you couldn't wear a mask, that's one thing,” said Meili. “But really, to put on a mask for a few minutes to cast your vote to make sure you keep yourself and those around you safe, that's very little to ask.”
He brushed aside any notion that a mandatory mask rule would disenfranchise people who reject masks for ideological reasons, no matter how baseless their position may be.
“Those folks should put on a mask and vote,” he said. “It's the right thing to do.”