Saskatchewan Minute: Campaign Continues, Mining Staffing, and Police Union Ads

Saskatchewan Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatchewan politics.

This Week In Saskatchewan:

• The Saskatchewan Leaders' Debate between Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe and Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck will take place on Wednesday, from 6:05 pm to 7:00 pm. It will be moderated by Merelda Fiddler and feature questions from a panel of four journalists. The debate will be livestreamed on both the CTV Regina and CTV Saskatoon websites, in addition to being aired on television.
  
  
• Saskatchewan’s mining industry will need 15,000 new workers by 2034 due to growth and an aging workforce, according to the Saskatchewan Mining Association. The latest Mining Labour Market Report highlights the need for more people in trades, as currently only 3.5% of workers choose mining-related occupations like technicians and engineers. The Association warns that without changes, the percentage of out-of-province workers could rise from 15% to 25%.
  
  
• In Nipawin, a growing homelessness issue is prompting local organizations to assess the hidden homeless population. The Métis Nation-Saskatchewan is funding counts in various small communities to highlight this problem and advocate for more resources. Recently, the provincial government announced a plan to address homelessness, which includes funding for new supportive housing and emergency shelter spaces, primarily in larger cities like Regina and Saskatoon. However, community leaders in Nipawin and Moose Jaw say that the lack of affordable housing and support for addictions and mental health in their communities is contributing to the rising numbers of those experiencing homelessness.

Last Week In Saskatchewan:

• In the second week of the provincial election campaign, health care became a key focus for both the Saskatchewan Party and the Saskatchewan NDP. Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe proposed initiatives such as cervix self-screening and a tax credit for fertility treatments while the NDP highlighted a plan to create an accountability commission to investigate issues with the province’s health care payroll system.
  
  
• The National Police Federation (NPF), the union representing RCMP officers in Canada, has been using social media to encourage voter participation in the upcoming provincial elections. Their ads contain links to a website designed to “educate” voters about the NPF’s concerns with the provincial Marshals service. Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe reaffirmed his commitment to fund this service, which is aimed at addressing issues like rural crime and gang activity. In contrast, the Saskatchewan NDP has labeled the Marshals service as unnecessary and plans to eliminate it if elected. The NPF asserts that existing police resources should be prioritized instead.
  
  
• The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on a case brought by the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan, challenging the constitutionality of the Province's inmate disciplinary regime. The case argues that inmates should only be convicted of rule breaches using the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard, rather than the current "balance of probabilities" used in Saskatchewan's correctional facilities. This lower standard, the Society contends, leads to unfair punishments, including segregation and delayed release. The case could set a precedent for inmate disciplinary systems across Canada.