The two candidates running for leadership of the Saskatchewan NDP pitched similar messages of social investment, alternative energy sources, and government accountability in Yorkton last week.
Trent Wotherspoon and Ryan Meili are vying for the Official Opposition leadership position in Saskatchewan. Wotherspoon is the MLA for Regina Rosemont and Meili represents the Saskatoon Meewasin district.
Cam Broten, the former leader of the Saskatchewan NDP, vacated his position after the 2016 provincial election. Wotherspoon served as interim leader of the party until he announced his candidacy for the position in August of last year. Meili stepped into the race last May.
Both candidates attended the event hosted by the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce at the Gallagher Centre on Feb. 8. They explained their platforms and fielded questions from the audience.
鈥淚t鈥檚 good to join you at this important time in our province and our party,鈥� Wotherspoon said. 鈥淭he stakes really couldn鈥檛 be higher and there鈥檚 such tremendous opportunity.鈥�
鈥淚 made the leap into politics because I saw that鈥檚 where the biggest difference can be made,鈥� Meili said. 鈥淚 heard an appetite for change and a better approach.鈥�
Wotherspoon, a former teacher, and Meili, a family doctor, both highlighted education and health services as cornerstones of their potential leaderships. Wotherspoon said he wants to deliver universal mental health and addiction services, along with affordable childcare.
鈥淲e need to build the most engaging classrooms possible,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about placing investments in the right places.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 motivated to fix our broken mental health system,鈥� he added. 鈥淔ar too many are suffering in silence.鈥�
Meili talked about a patient who took their life due to a lack of mental health services. He stressed how healthy, educated people can make the province stronger.
鈥淲e need to work together on it,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e can invest in people.鈥�
Meili and Wotherspoon agreed on increased infrastructure spending, finding new energy avenues, and working on reconciliation with Indigenous groups.
鈥淲e need a real committment to closing the gap,鈥� Meili said.
Both candidates fired shots at the SaskParty, aiming most of their ire at last year鈥檚 budget.
鈥淚t was a deceitful budget,鈥� Wotherspoon said. 鈥淚t was a betrayal.鈥�
In their closing remarks, Wotherspoon and Meili thanked the audience for attending the event. They emphasized that the NDP has a strong opportunity in the next provincial election and each argued they were the leader to capitalize on it.
鈥淥ur province is at a crossroads right now,鈥� Wotherspoon said. 鈥淚鈥檓 ready to roll up my sleeves with our incredible team of MLAs.鈥�
鈥淚t is a moment for change,鈥� Meili said. 鈥淧eople don鈥檛 want more of the same.
鈥淚鈥檓 not even convinced they want 鈥楳oe鈥� of the same.鈥�
