The Battlefords Saskatchewan Party nominees Jeremy Cockrill, left, and Tom Hawboldt. (submitted photos)

By Angela Brown

Sask. Party nominees

Cockrill and Hawboldt vying for Sask. Party nomination for The Battlefords

Feb 19, 2020 | 6:14 PM

Two hopefuls are seeking the nomination in The Battlefords’ Saskatchewan Party race.

Jeremy Cockrill and Tom Hawboldt are both vying to be the party’s candidate to run in the 2020 provincial election to replace outgoing MLA Herb Cox who is retiring.

Cockrill, who manages Fortress Windows and Doors Ltd., a family business in North Battleford, said he decided he wanted to run for the party in the upcoming election after having a longtime interest in politics.

“I volunteered politically since I was 14 years old,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in politics, governments and how things get done.”

Cockrill said when the opportunity came up he thought it would be great way to represent the Battlefords and offer “a fresh, new, energetic representation in Regina.”

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Cockrill is also a senior boys’ basketball coach at North Battleford Comprehensive High School.

Originally from B.C., Cockrill has lived in the local area for about three years. He has a background in the agricultural industry and has a business degree.

He said it’s important to push for local economic development.

“We never will say no to good jobs coming to our area and our region,” he said.

Cockrill said when more good jobs come to the area, it will become easier for families to live and work in their communities.

He said he would like to see the Battlefords’ reputation improved, and address social issues impacting the community.

Tom Hawboldt who is also hoping to be the local Sask. Party candidate is currently a superintendent of learning for the Light of Christ Catholic School Division. He previously served with the Canadian Forces.

Hawboldt said he’s coached all levels of various sports and currently coaches high school badminton and elementary school basketball.

Originally from Newfoundland, he attended high school in Prince Albert and has lived in the local area for 27 years.

Hawboldt said his passion for community and civic service inspired him to seek the nomination.

“We have a duty to give back to our community,” he said. “The Battlefords has been especially good to me. At any opportunity I think it’s incumbent upon me to give back to that community.”

He said he believes he could “make a real difference” if elected.

Hawboldt has served on the board of directors with the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce and the Saskatchewan Winter Games as part of his volunteer efforts.

Fighting the carbon tax is one of the issues he is focused on.

“Taxing doesn’t change behaviour. Rewarding behaviour changes behaviour,” he said.

Hawboldt said the carbon tax also hurts businesses.

He also wants to see bureaucracy reduced at a provincial level.

“What will grow our economy is small business and agriculture,” Hawboldt said. “Those are the things we need to support. We have to find ways to remove the obstacles for small businesses and agriculture in our province.”

He said while the Battlefords does have its challenges, people need to work together to find creative solutions.

The Saskatchewan Party’s Battlefords nomination meeting takes place Feb. 27 at the Dekker Centre. Voting begins at 4:30 p.m. with speeches to follow at 7 p.m.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow