Premier hopefuls talk winning back seats in Regina, Saskatoon

The five Saskatchewan Party hopefuls competing to become the next premier took to the stage in Saskatoon this weekend to woo members in the party's third leadership debate.

The event got underway at TCU Place on Saturday, following an emotional tribute to outgoing Premier Brad Wall, who announced his retirement in August.

Saskatchewan Party president James Thorsteinson moderated the debateheld as part of the party's convention where a record 800 registered to attend, 200 more than expectedasking questions submitted by party members.

Balancing the budget

The first question was about balancing the province's budget. Scott Moe, Gord Wyant and Ken Cheveldayoff committed to sticking with the government's current plan to balance the books by 2019.

Both Tina Beaudry-Mellor and former top civil servant Alanna Koch said they extended that plan by one year to 2020, also stripping the provincial sales tax from insurance. Beaudry-Mellor also pitched extending the budget cycle to two-years, not one.

Cheveldayoffreferred to the proposed extension as "watered down," saying he'd introduce expert consultation on taxes that are reported back to the premier.

Carbon tax alternatives

On carbon tax alternatives, Koch said she's committed to carbon capture.

The "federal government doesn't have the science right. Carbon isn't a villain," Koch told the crowd.

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Beaudry-Mellor pointed to doing a better job of communicating with the federal government about what the province is already doing.

Wyant said he'd look east to Manitoba to work with that province to use hydro to reduce Saskatchewan's carbon output.

All five candidates expressed the importance of supporting arts and culturalorganizations in the province, with all pointing to Creative Saskatchewan.

"Cities need these kind of institutions," Wyant said pointing to Saskatoon's new Remai Modern art gallery. Beaudry-Mellor also used the question to say that arts funding cannot be sacrificed to balance the budget.

Growing tech economy

When it comes to diversifying the economy, many candidates underlined the need to foster the tech sector.

Wyant said tax incentives need to be explored to commercialize innovations coming from universities andtechnical schools, while Koch and Beaudry-Mellor both said their platforms include a tax credit for angel investors to put money in local entrepreneurs and tech startups.

Cheveldayoff spoke to the importance of the provincial nominee program, saying "We need more people in our province," and Moe committed to create a minister to oversee export trade and investment attraction.

Connection to party

Wyant said if he were premier, members would see an annual policy convention.

Beaudry-Mellor says she'dbring in mandate letters and a yearly door-knocking campaign in orderto stay connected to the party's grassroots, while Koch would travel for regional dinners.

GTH inquiry?

Among other issues discussed, which included improving healthcare,better connecting with teachers and dealing with landfills,candidateswere posed the question of how they would win seats in Regina and Saskatoon.

Beaudry-Mellor said she hears fromurban residents they areconcerned with theGlobal Transportation Hub, saying there needs to be more transparency and that "we may need to have a public inquiry on that issue."

Wyant said there's a perception the party isn't listeningand it needs to do a better job at that with urban voters.

The crowd cheeredwhen Moementioned that he sees only Saskatchewan people, not an urban/rural divide.

ForCheveldayoff, he said winningseats in citieswill come from running the best candidates, explaining that "extraordinary" campaigns will be needed.

"What happened in those byelections isn't good enough," he said.

Question of experience

In answering the final question about why each candidatethinks they should be premier,Cheveldayoffhighlighted his experience and stressed the next premier should have experience being an elected official in the legislature.

Koch, the only unelected official running for leader,listedher years of work in the public service for government and beyond.She told members that byunderstandingthe operations of government, she could effectively implement policies as premier.

Beaudry-Mellor, Wyant and Moeall pointed to their time in government, with Moereferencing the 22 MLAswho have announced their support for him.

The party will elect a new leader on Jan. 27, 2018 in Saskatoon.