Karen Hovind, resident of Saltcoats and a teacher in Melville, has stepped forward to run for provincial office for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the Melville-Saltcoats riding, citing a deep concern for the state of Saskatchewan’s health care, education, and cost-of-living under the leadership of Premier Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Party. With over a decade of experience in the classroom, the candidate says she has witnessed first-hand the impact of underfunded schools and struggling families.
Election day for Saskatchewan’s 30th General Election will be held on Monday, October 28th, with advance polling running from October 22-26th.
When interviewed, Hovind shared the following information:
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?
“As a teacher, I see every day how underfunded our classrooms are and I often hear from families on how hard it is to keep up with the rising cost-of-living. I was inspired to run for office because after 17 years off Scott Moe and the Sask. Party, people aren’t better off. We’re last place in the country on health care and education and I think we can do better.
If elected, I would fight to make sure people in Melville-Saltcoats can afford their groceries, children’s clothing, and receive better health care and education. Rural healthcare has not been a priority for Scott Moe and the Sask. Party, and the Saskatchewan NDP is committed to making the proper investments it needs.
It’s been seventeen years of Scott Moe and the Sask. Party being out-of-touch, out of ideas and just not delivering the relief and services that Saskatchewan people need. It’s time for change.”
What is your stance on provincial healthcare funding, and how would you ensure accessible and high-quality healthcare for residents?
“People are struggling with getting the quality care they need in rural Saskatchewan. Hospitals and urgent care centres are overwhelmed, with not enough nurses and frontline health care workers. They’re burnt out and overworked, and families are paying the price. Scott Moe and the Sask. Party just hasn’t been there for families who are worried sick about the state of health care in their community.
If elected, I will work tirelessly to keep rural emergency rooms across the province open as much as possible. In addition, a Saskatchewan NDP government will invest 1.1 billion dollars to hire more doctors, nurses and healthcare workers, and bring in a Grow Your Own Strategy to train more healthcare workers here in Saskatchewan to work in Saskatchewan. This will be particularly beneficial to rural Saskatchewan retention of workers.”
What are some pillars of the NDP platform that local residents would be interested to know about?
“I’ve been hearing from residents across the riding on how hard it is to keep up with the cost-of-living, put food on the table and have any money left over at the end of the month.
On day one, a Saskatchewan NDP government will cut the gas tax, saving people up to ten dollars at the pumps. We will also cut the PST on groceries and children’s clothing, so no one has to go without food or the clothes they need.”
What is the NDP’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?
“As previously mentioned, I am a teacher & I know firsthand the effects of the Sask. Party’s cuts to education. Saskatchewan has fallen into last place in education and our kids deserve so much better. It just doesn’t seem like Scott Moe and the Sask. Party are prioritizing education and have left communities worried sick. Kids are our future, and they’re counting on us to improve their learning conditions.
Carla Beck and the Saskatchewan NDP will get our province out of last place. We will:
Commitments For Change
- Reverse Scott Moe’s cuts to classrooms and hire more teachers and education workers to ensure every child has the attention and support they need
- Respect teachers, school boards and education workers and work with them as partners to improve education and address classroom size and complexity
- Building new schools faster to address overcrowding and serve growing communities.”
How would your party address the growing concerns around mental health and addictions in our province, including ensuring access to treatment and support services?
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own communities and have the support they need for mental health and addiction services.
A Saskatchewan NDP government will increase funding to mental health and addiction services, as well expand public housing units, expand social supports and improve access to health care and economic opportunities.”
How do you plan to work with municipalities to address local infrastructure needs, such as public transit, roads, and affordable housing?
“I know how hard it is for smaller municipalities to keep up with local infrastructure needs, and they need a province that is there for them. Scott Moe and the Sask. Party has failed to invest in our local communities, and has left a lot of small town infrastructure to crumble.
Carla Beck and the Saskatchewan NDP will connect rural communities through better planning of road infrastructure. We will invest directly in your communities — everything from roads to municipal infrastructure, neighbourhood halls and community rinks.”
What are other priorities you hear your constituents talk to you about commonly?
“I’m hearing a lot from people across the riding about the lack of health care services they need, especially lack of family doctors. People are stressed out and worried about the lack of access to health care, and that they have nowhere to turn to when a loved one gets sick. If elected, I would advocate for the people of Melville-Saltcoats to ensure they have the care they need.”
A Call for Change
The candidate’s message to the people of Melville-Saltcoats is, after 17 years under Scott Moe and the Sask. Party, Hovind says it is time for a change.
The provincial election will take place near the end of October, with residents in the Melville-Saltcoats constituency and across Saskatchewan casting their votes for the next government.