Saskatchewan NDP says election is bigger than politics; Sask. Party seeks more power for police

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck is pitching the province's voters on an idea: Think beyond party politics and support what's best for the province when polls open on Oct. 28. 

Standing in front of a crowd of supporters at the provincial legislature, Beck described the race between her NDP and Scott Moe's Saskatchewan Party as tighter than ever, and voters have a choice to elect change.

While some may not agree with her on everything, Beck says, they can agree people deserve better.

"This election is not about Team Orange or Team Green. This election is about Team Saskatchewan," she said. "Your vote matters. Your vote is powerful."

Police need more powers: Moe

At a news conference earlier on Thursday, Moe unveiled a plan that would shut down nuisance properties and put an end to public disruptions if his party forms government. 

Moe says he would amend legislation to provide police with additional authority to address intoxication, vandalism and other disturbances on public property.

• Watch more Sask. election coverage, including full news conferences, on CBC Saskatchewan's YouTube page.

He says the measure would allow business owners to designate police as authorized representatives, giving officers the power to remove people from businesses without needing permission from the owner on a case-by-case basis.

Moe also says the legislation would let officers address abandoned buildings that have been repeatedly broken into or have trespassers squatting inside.

"We want to strengthen our laws to make sure those officers have the tools they need so everyone in Saskatchewan feels safe in their communities and neighbourhoods," Moe said in a news release.

Marshals service a flashpoint

Moe also recommitted to the Saskatchewan marshals service, which will bring in 70 officers once it is operational in 2026. 

So far, the provincial government has provided the service with $14 million in funding. The service is expected to cost $20 million a year once operations get underway. 

Moe defended the service after the force was criticized by the National Police Federation (NPF), the union that represents RCMP officers. 

The NPF has said the marshals service is unnecessary.

"The marshals service is going to work with the RCMP and [Assistant Commissioner] Rhonda Blackmore, so let's be clear about that," Moe said.

"The public sector union, the NPF, is going to advocate on behalf of what they feel will, you know eventually, make for more officers and more union dues and let's be that callous about it." 

Along with the marshals service, Moe highlighted how his previous government has funded 180 new RCMP positions and  plans to hire 100 new municipal officers. 

Beck dismissed Moe's comments on Thursday, pointing to how nearly 90 municipalities across the province have urged for a pause on the proposed service, citing issues including a lack of transparency and accountability. 

The NDP has promised to scrap the program and use the savings to hire 100 more RCMP officers.  

Beck also went after Moe, who said the NDP plan to legalize drugs if the party forms government. 

Beck called that assertion a lie.

"I've seen him come up with desperate lie after desperate lie about us and our plan," Beck said. "We've been very clear about our plan. I'm very capable of speaking for myself and what our plan is." 

The Saskatchewan NDP have laid out a plan it says will make life more affordable by suspending the gas tax for six months and removing the provincial sales tax from children's clothing and some grocery items.

Beck's also pledged to get the province's health-care and education systems back on track by hiring more staff to alleviate cramped emergency rooms and classrooms.