Incumbent Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young has been spreading a message of support for the energy industry and provincial post-COVID recovery in her 2020 election bid.
Young, who has been the Saskatchewan Party MLA for the area since 2014 is currently running for her second full term. The campaign trail, however, looks very different due to COVID-19 guidelines.
Large campaign rallies are not going due to gathering limits, but the Saskatchewan Government began allowing doorknocking in early August, provided candidates keep physical distance and sanitize regularly. Young has also been engaging voters over the phone and online.
She explains that many of the people she’s spoken to already have expressed concerns keeping seniors and vulnerable people safe from catching the virus, and the Government’s back to school plan’s impact on their kids.
“I’ve asked people what they think, and it’s been kind of mixed feelings. There are some parents and even some teachers who are still apprehensive about going back to school, but they’re also appreciative of that school divisions have been given a choice as to where to start within the back to school plan. ”
Young adds that a future with the Saskatchewan Party in power will allow the continued rebuild of the economy post COVID-19 to continue, and the government has been strong investors in the province, both through the pandemic and the eleven years they’ve been in power.
“We had a great July on our job numbers, over 30,000 re-employed back into the province. We are keeping Saskatchewan as strong as we can and continuing to rebuild it by listening to the people and re-investing back into our province as much as we can.”
Another focus of her 2020 campaign is support for the energy industry through working with Alberta on their small nuclear reactor projects and continued pressure on the Federal Government to get pipeline projects built. She also touched on rural internet and cell service, saying the province will work with several Canadian telecommunication companies to begin work on 5G services, especially in terrains where LTE towers don’t work.
Young says she’ll also continue working with resource groups in Turtleford and Onion Lake, as well as Lloydminster’s Residents in Recovery on some initiatives.
“We’re putting together a leadership group on establishing some more mental health and addictions beds and detox units in this area.”
Colleen Young is currently facing Saskatchewan NDP candidate Colleen Henning for the Lloydminster seat. Saskatchewan’s voters will go the polls on or before October 26th, 2020. Residents will also have the option to mail their ballots this year.Â