Masked duo: Prince Albert Carlton MLA Joe Hargrave with his face mask pushed down at a recent event and Troy Parenteau with his face covering. (Facebook Joe Hargrave/submitted photo Troy Parenteau)

By Ian Gustafson

masking the politics

Face-to-face behind the mask: a new way of political campaigning

Jul 31, 2020 | 5:00 PM

In the world of political campaigning, getting your name and face out there is job number one. So, when a global pandemic comes along and you find yourself knocking on doors wearing a face mask, it may be a hindrance, especially for non-incumbents.

But with less than 90 days to go to the provincial election on Oct. 26, the rivals for the Prince Albert Carlton riding, current MLA Joe Hargrave of the Saskatchewan Party and challenger Troy Parenteau with the NDP, don’t seem to overly concerned about things as they promote their key party messages.

“We’re phoning people and asking what they thought of what the government is doing, how we’re handling the COVID-19 affairs. We’re just sort of picking people at random and phoning people throughout our constituency and saying, ‘How’s it going,?” Hargrave told paNOW.

He said as of last Wednesday July 22, they’re allowed to go door to door with strict guidelines, but he figured that would not take off in earnest for a while yet.

“I think the door to door campaign is just going to continue to ramp up as we move on and people get a little bit more comfortable with it, [and] as we get more comfortable with it quite honestly,” he said.

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

Hargrave added the door-knocking will be a slower process as they want to do it more methodically and carefully to follow all the health protocols. He added there will be masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing and it was important for people to feel comfortable talking to him.

As for voter turnout come the late October election, the local MLA figured people would not be reluctant to show up.

Meanwhile Hargrave’s challenger, Troy Parenteau says he and his team have been out on the street in their face masks.

“We’re maintaining social distance. Both our volunteers and me as the candidate are wearing masks,” he said. “We don’t hand anything directly to any constituents at all so our literature is put into mailboxes and we remind them they can access that literature when they feel it’s safe.”

Parenteau didn’t feel the current COVID-19 climate would hinder his ability to make inroads with the electorate and challenge his rival who is politically established and a more well-known face.

“No, I’m hearing on the doorstep that the people of Prince Albert are ready for change. And we’ve put a platform that puts people first: investments in healthcare and education, our Sask-First policy where roads, hospitals and schools are built by Saskatchewan companies, and people on the doorstep responding positively to it.”

—

With files from Michael Joel-Hansen and Glenn Hicks

panews@jpbg.ca