VOTE MOB: Regina airport folks weigh in

After four weeks of talking to voters around Saskatchewan, the CBC Saskatchewan Vote Mob finished in the same city it began. My classmates and I were dropped off at the Regina International Airport. For two hours, we spoke to whoever would answer us.

We were an odd sight for the bored souls waiting for loved ones to arrive and flights to depart. With security as stringent as it is these days, it's rare to see anyone taking pictures or video in a terminal. The airport in Regina is small enough that with 13 of us milling about, you could hardly look anywhere without seeing a young journalist, microphone or camera in hand.

Once the initial shock of our presence wore off, the setting actually ended up helping us connect with people. An airport is a boring place. Aside from a few minutes of check-in and security clearance, the main action performed there is waiting. The sight of enthusiastic journalism students scurrying around seemed like a nice surprise for many of our subjects, and we had no trouble filling the hard drives on our recording devices.

With the election less than a week away, most of the people we spoke to had already decided who they were going to vote for. Rather than press them for specific party allegiances, we asked about how they had come to whatever decision they had made. Not surprisingly, people's hot button issues tended to be informed by the things in their lives.

"Schooling is important. I have two kids," said Tricia Gerhard, who was with her preschool-age son Jacob. "My son is a frequent visitor of specialists and hospitals, so that kind of thing is important to me." But Gerhard's concerns weren't all directly related to her family and personal situation.

"I'm also concerned about child care for my fellow workers who have to work during the day. And just maintaining a good, equitable living situation here in Saskatchewan," she said.

The booming economy had many people impressed with the current government.

"People are working. The economy is rolling. There's industry. It's an open for business environment in Saskatchewan right now," said Roger Pettigrew, who runs a truck dealership in Regina. His business has done very well in recent years. At the same time, he said that the province needs to devote more resources to making sure young people in the province are able to take advantage of the current prosperity.

"When these young fellas need to go to trade school, they go on unemployment, they have to pay for rent. It's very difficult for them. It's a double-edged sword because if they want to advance their knowledge and skills, there is a cost. If there was any way we could (help them), that would be spectacular," said Pettigrew.

While the people we spoke to were politically engaged, it remains to be seen whether Saskatchewan will have the same high voter turnout as the last election. Bad weather, the popularity of the incumbent government and a general lack of fire by the candidates during the lead up to this election could all contribute to lower numbers this time around. Whatever happens on Monday night, we'll be watching.