Premier Scott Moe received a 97 per cent vote of approval as leader at the 2023 Saskatchewan Party Convention. Nov. 4, 2023. (Daniel/Reech 980 CJME)

By CKOM News - Daniel Reech

Sask. Party convention

Moe receives 97 per cent approval at Sask. Party convention

Nov 4, 2023 | 8:06 PM

The Saskatchewan Party held its 2023 convention on Saturday, when Premier Scott Moe received 97 per cent approval ahead of the scheduled 2024 election.

“Some of the most significant challenges that we’re facing in this province right now are policies that are coming from our federal government in Ottawa,” Moe told reporters after his speech.

Moe explained that was the reason why Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre was invited to the convention as a keynote speaker. He cited opposition to the federal carbon tax as a key issue the two were aligned on.

Poilievre did not speak to the media after his speech.

“When we’re looking for change in Ottawa, we have tried and attempted to work with the current government time after time for years now and it doesn’t seem to be working in any way shape or form,” Moe said.

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Moe said Poilievre would represent that change.

“Ultimately (Poilievre) would be a leader that Saskatchewan would view as being able to work collaboratively towards expanding some of the most sustainable industries on Earth, providing more economic opportunities for Saskatchewan residents that live here today and ultimately Saskatchewan residents that are on their way here as well,” the premier said.

The Conservatives currently hold all 14 of Saskatchewan’s seats in the House of Commons.

Moe described the province’s relationship with the current federal government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “combative” and said he hoped for a more collaborative relationship with a potential Poilievre-led federal government.

He said Poilievre might remove things that Moe called impediments such as the Impact Assessment Act (formerly known as Bill C-69), the carbon tax and clean electricity regulations.

“What we’re seeing today is very, very divisive policies and how those policies are being implemented in the carbon tax crisis that Canadians are facing due to the prime minister,” Moe said.

Moe also said the Saskatchewan First Act would not be necessary under a Poilievre-led government.

The Saskatchewan NDP

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck received a 94 per cent vote of approval at the Saskatchewan NDP’s convention in Regina last weekend.

“Saskatchewan New Democrats are committed to working with local leaders to build and develop made-in-Saskatchewan solutions to the real issues currently facing our province,” Beck said in a media release prior to the conference.

“While Scott Moe imports American-style politics, Saskatchewan New Democrats are focused on the basic issues keeping Saskatchewan families up at night, like the cost of living and our broken healthcare system.”

The NDP’s convention hosted speakers from the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities and the United Steelworkers District 3.

According to the release, the convention saw the largest growth of new members in the party’s history.

“Saskatchewan people are ready for change. Our province has so much potential, but the Sask. Party is holding us back,” Beck said. “This party is united and ready to deliver a brighter future for Saskatchewan people.”