Doyle Vermette has been the MLA in the riding since 2008. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

provincial election

NDP, Sask. Party candidates in La Ronge on first day of election period

Sep 29, 2020 | 5:30 PM

NDP MLA Doyle Vermette and Saskatchewan Party candidate Darren Deschambeault were both in La Ronge Tuesday as Premier Scott Moe announced the provincial election is underway.

“It’s been an honour to serve the constituents for 12 years and I’d be honoured to serve them for another four years,” Vermette, who has served as MLA since 2008, said. “We’re going to talk about putting people first and dealing with some of the challenges.”

Vermette explained he will be campaigning on a number of issues including suicide prevention, mental health and addictions, and affordability. He also noted the Sask. Party is responsible for cuts such as the elimination of Saskatchewan Transportation Company, as well as the Northern Teacher Education Program.

Vermette also mentioned there have been issues between the provincial government and First Nations when it comes to duty to consult and accommodate. He said constituents aren’t happy and are frustrated with some of the policies in place.

“We’re just getting organized and getting things going and getting the team ready,” Vermette said about his campaign.

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If elected MLA on Oct. 26, Deschambeault wants to work toward stimulating the northern economy and bringing more jobs to the region.

Darren Deschambeault is the Sask. Party candidate. (submitted photo/Darren Deschambeault)

“A lot of people want to see jobs in the North and I think if we elect somebody from government, I think we’re going to see a lot of employment in the North,” he said.

Deschambeault also wants Indigenous peoples to be involved in that process and he added the provincial government is seeking a new way of Indigenous engagement.

“It’s about time we had Indigenous engagement,” he said. “We have to have partnerships and we have to forge these relationships with Indigenous Peoples in the riding.”

Since he’s announced his intention to run for MLA, Deschambeault said many constituents have contacted him to assist in his campaign.

The Sask. Party has been in power since 2007 and most recently held 46 of the 61 seats in the legislature. The NDP held 13 and two seats were vacant.

larongeNOW reached out the Saskatchewan Green Party about its candidate for Cumberland, but didn’t receive a response by publishing time.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno