Political Leaders Hit the Campaign Trail During Thanksgiving Weekend Across Three Provinces

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad voiced his concerns about the growing number of people using food banks and the organizations struggling to meet the demand.

He said if elected, his party would ensure adequate funding to these organizations.

“We will not allow these essential services to fail. The Conservatives are committed to delivering the financial support required to ensure food banks and community kitchens across the province can continue their invaluable work, and we will provide the stable, ongoing funding needed to keep them running,” Rustad said in the release.

Advanced polls in some areas of the province were open on Oct. 10. Election Day is scheduled for Oct. 19.

Saskatchewan Campaign Platforms

In Saskatchewan, both main parties used the long weekend to release full platforms of promises to voters.

Incumbent Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe said that, with his party’s plan, the budget would be balanced by 2027.

Moe said a summary of their platform would be mailed to every home in the province.

One of the promises the party makes is to increase the Low Income Tax Credit by 5 percent over four years, a total of 20 percent. The benefit is paid out to lower-income households to offset taxes, such as the Provincial Sales Tax (PST).

Saskatchewan’s NDP released its 16-page platform on Oct. 11, with Leader Carla Beck saying her party was offering change.

Beck’s plan would see an end to the gas tax in the province, and the PST on certain items by Christmas, the party says.

Voters go to the polls in Saskatchewan on Oct. 28.

New Brunswick Leaders Cast Ballots

In New Brunswick, party leaders cast their ballots in advance polls on Oct. 12.

Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick Leader Blaine Higgs voted at St. Mark’s Catholic Church on Oct. 12.

He also touted his party’s platform and talked about his commitment to keeping nurses in the province.

“A re-elected Progressive Conservative government will pay 50 percent of your long-term disability premiums for two years,” Higgs said in the recording. “Second, we will strike a working group dedicated to identifying and solving issues around working conditions for nurses.”

He said the group would be co-chaired by a member of his government and an individual with frontline experience as a nurse.

“Our healthcare plan is rooted in solving the most pressing challenges in primary care. We will do that by retaining the incredible healthcare workers we have now and by establishing 30 new community care clinics across the province so that New Brunswickers can have access to the care they need when they need it,” Holt said.

The Liberals say their retention payment would be $10,000 for the first year and $5,000 in the second year. It would be available to nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses, according to the party.

New Brunswick Green Party Leader David Coon focused his recent announcement on the party’s plan for senior care.

The party says its plan would see long-term care residents get more than four hours of care a day, increase the comfort and clothing allowance, and expand nursing home programs.

New Brunswick’s election day is Oct. 21.