Thu. Nov 21st, 2024

Curtis Brooks, who is a resident of Melville, has officially entered the race to represent the Sask. United Party in the Melville-Saltcoats riding for Saskatchewan’s upcoming provincial election. With a campaign focused on reconnecting the government with the people and tackling critical issues such as healthcare, education, and the rising cost of living, Brooks hopes to offer a fresh alternative to the current political landscape.  

Saskatchewan’s 30th General Election will be held on Monday, October 28th, with advance polling available from October 22nd to 26th. Brooks, running under the banner of the Sask. United Party, aims to address both provincial and local challenges, advocating for meaningful reforms to improve life for residents in the riding and across the province.  

In an interview, Brooks shared his motivations for entering the race, his policy priorities, and how he plans to address key concerns of his constituents.  

What motivates you to run for provincial office, and what do you see as the most pressing issue facing our province today? What are some localized issues you focus on to help those living in your riding?

“I decided to run for the Sask. United Party because of the disconnect between the current Sask. Party and the people they are supposed to serve. A simple question to ask is, Are we, as a province or as individuals, better off now than we were five or ten years ago? My answer—and the answer I often hear—is a solid no. I want to represent the people in the Melville-Saltcoats constituency and be a voice for them so we can repair the many issues that negatively affect our families and our future.”  

What is your stance on provincial healthcare funding, and how would you ensure accessible and high-quality healthcare for residents?

“The current government, as well as the opposition, have proven that just throwing more money at a problem doesn’t solve it. Our healthcare system is broken—I would say it’s on life support. The Sask. United Party has a plan for a Saskatchewan Integrated Healthcare System. This system would allow for competition in healthcare services while retaining universal care for all.  

“There also needs to be an audit to confront the inefficiencies in healthcare bureaucracy, ensuring more funds go to frontline workers and patients. We propose recruitment programs with educational incentives to address worker shortages and offer retention bonuses and competitive compensation, especially for rural communities like ours.”  

What are some pillars of the Sask. United Party platform that local residents would be interested to know about? 

“I encourage everyone to read the Sask. United plan titled Blueprint for Change. It outlines our plan to lower the PST from 6% to 3%, offer seniors over 65 a 65% property tax discount on their primary residence, eliminate the gas tax, and scrap the net-zero agenda. It also emphasizes ensuring Saskatchewan reaps the rewards of its natural resources. There are a lot of great, common-sense ideas in this plan, and I hope people will ask themselves why these changes haven’t been made already.”  

What is the Sask. United Party’s plan to improve education in the province and support the needs teachers spoke about during their strike last year, such as safe classrooms and the diverse needs of students?  

“Like healthcare, education in this province is broken. The last teachers’ strike revealed just how bad the situation is. Again, just throwing money at the problem won’t fix it.  

“The Sask. United Party supports parental involvement and plans to introduce ‘opt-in’ policies instead of ‘opt-out’ ones. Schools would need parental approval for controversial content in the curriculum. We also want to reduce political bias in education and focus on essential skills like reading, writing, mathematics, and accurate history. Standardized testing will help address the province’s low student rankings.  

“Safe classrooms and addressing diverse needs are issues that need to be solved at the local level. School boards and divisions must collaborate with teachers to address unique challenges that differ from community to community, like Saltcoats compared to Regina.”  

How would your party address the growing concerns around mental health and addictions in our province, including ensuring access to treatment and support services?  

“Mental health, addictions, and homelessness are being ignored by the current government. The Sask. United Party will offer long-term, personalized programs to support recovery and break the cycle. We will stop the supply of drugs and partner with non-profit organizations to provide person-centered care.  

“We plan to involve the private sector in healthcare by opening mental health clinics, with services funded by the government. This approach will increase service availability and reduce wait times, creating a more responsive care system.”  

How do you plan to work with municipalities to address local infrastructure needs, such as public transit, roads, and affordable housing?  

“Working with municipalities must be done fairly and economically. Projects need to be created with taxpayers in mind, involving long-term planning and prioritization. The provincial government receives input from organizations like SUMA and SARM, but we need better dialogue between municipalities and these organizations to address local needs effectively.”  

What are other priorities you hear your constituents talk about commonly?

“The main issue I hear is the rising cost of living. People are struggling to make ends meet. The Sask. United Party will address this by lowering the PST, eliminating the gas tax, offering property tax discounts for seniors, and ensuring the province gets full value from its resources.  

“I encourage everyone to read the *Blueprint for Change* and reflect: Are we better off today, or is it time for a change? I would be honored to represent the people of Melville-Saltcoats in Regina. Saskatchewan deserves better, and Sask. United will do better.”  

In Conclusion

Curtis Brooks, representing the Sask. United Party, is running in the Melville-Saltcoats riding with a platform centered on meaningful reform in healthcare, education, and cost-of-living issues. Brooks aims to challenge the status quo by advocating for stronger parental involvement in education, increased accountability in healthcare spending, and tax relief for residents. His candidacy reflects a desire for change, with a focus on practical solutions that benefit rural communities. Brooks invites residents to explore the Blueprint for Change and join him in building a better future for Saskatchewan.

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