Battlefords provincial candidates excited to campaign for the community

The executive director for the Battlefords Sexual Assault Centre, Stewart said advocacy is paramount in her work and wants to take on that role for her community. She is focused on reaching out to residents to find out what their main concerns are and what they expect from their MLA.

“I really look forward to having the opportunity to advocate for the people who live here and for what they want and need,” Stewart said. “I want to know what people in the Battlefords see as the issues and I want to hear from them.”

Her main focus heading into the election has been on an education plan. A critic of the province’s back-to-school plan, Stewart said she’s heard concern from parents and teachers.

“I’ve heard from a large number of parents who have kids that need extra support and are vulnerable from COVID, so those children are not in school,” Stewart said. “Having extra support so those kids can attend school would be number one.”

One of the ways she proposes to address the issue would be managing the spending of money better in the future.

“If you look at some of the big projects and big money that’s been spent by the Sask. Party, that money definitely could gone to better use and have been used to help people living in Saskatchewan and in the Battlefords,” she said. “It’s about prioritizing what’s important to the people.”

Providing a public debate will be hosted, Stewart said she’s excited to participate, proving safety protocols are met.

“My number one focus will be no matter what we do, it’s done in the safest way possible,” she said.

Sask. Party’s Cockrill going door to door, prioritizing recovery.

In taking over the Sask. Party role for outgoing MLA Herb Cox, Jeremy Cockrill is also excited to begin the election cycle, after winning the nomination for the party back in February.

“It’s exciting that we can finally get some signs up and people are going to hear more and more about [each] platform,” he said. “We’re looking to communicate our plan for a strong recovery and strong Saskatchewan moving forward.”

Cockrill said he’s spent a large amount of time already going door-to-door to reach out to people in the area and will make it out to hundreds more in the coming days. The hope there is to find out what residents think are productive solutions to moving forward.

“Door knocking is always an enlightening experience, it’s my favourite part of this whole thing, so that’s where we’re focusing,” he said.

Concerns about the economy is the primary topic Cockrill said he’s heard thus far. Many people who he talked to from the oil industry said they aren’t sure of their path forward.

“People look at their jobs and they’re wondering when they will come back, when will business pick back up?” Cockrill said.

The opposition criticism is something he’s heard as well in recent weeks, though Cockrill said the people he’s talked to were generally pleased with schools coming back. While parents of immunocompromised children and other specific situations had concerns, Cockrill believes they are on the right track.

“Most teachers I’ve talked to, quite frankly, are excited to be back at work,” he said. “I think people understand it’s a different world we’re living in and it’s going to be a different school year than before.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports

by Josh Ryan

Battlefords provincial candidates excited to campaign for the community

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