Ten questions with Joshua Bloom, Saskatchewan United Party candidate for Lloydminster

Hailing from a multi-generational farm in Turtleford, Joshua Bloom is the Saskatchewan United Party candidate for Lloydminster in the Oct. 28 provincial elections. After high school, Josh spent two years at college in Sydney, Australia studying music and audio production. While there, he led volunteer street teams assisting in underprivileged communities. When he returned to Turtleford, he went to work in the oil and gas industry. He later studied at Lakeland College to complete his Fourth class power engineering.

Question 1: Who are you? 

Bloom: I’m Joshua Bloom – born and raised in a small town. I’ve been privileged to be a part of a close-knit community. I love hockey, I grew up playing minor hockey in my hometown and still play rec hockey to this day. I’m blessed with talented nieces and nephews that have played higher levels of hockey and I get to go and cheer them on every chance I get. I am a huge Edmonton Oilers fan. Watching the Oilers in the playoffs and losing last spring in the finals was heartbreaking.

I also love music. Both sides of my family are musically gifted, and it was always around me growing up. When I picked up my first guitar at thirteen I was hooked and I’ve never looked back.

Question 2: Why do you want to be an MLA? 

Bloom: I want to help. I am a blue-collar guy who grew up on a farm. I have worked in the oil patch for the last eighteen years. When there is a job to do – you do it. And I see a job that needs to be done. The Sask Party over the last six years has almost doubled our provincial debt, adding $14 billion since 2018. All the while our services, health, education, and highways have declined. The time for patience is over, the government of this province needs to bring better management and accountability to the people and to our communities to help build a better province for the people of Saskatchewan. 

Question 3: What is your platform? 

Bloom: The Sask United Party believes it is time for a change because the people of Saskatchewan deserve better. While a lot of the promises of the other two parties will sound similar to us we have three policies that are different.

1. Affordability, axe the PST to three per cent, and cut the gas tax to save people 15 cents a litre. That isn’t on a time constraint, we do it and it stays.
2. We will scrap the net-zero carbon by 2050 program. If this program is allowed to continue it will decimate our agriculture, and oil & gas sectors which are the cornerstones to Lloydminster and the greater mid-west.
3. We believe in female safe spaces, that biological-born males are not allowed into female restrooms, change rooms, or allowed to compete in female sports. We know what the definition of a woman is. Growing up on a farm, it’s one of the first things you check when you see a newborn calf on the ground.

Question 4: What is your plan for the riding? 

Bloom: My plan for the riding is to fight for the communities of the Lloydminster area. We need to make sure our oil and agriculture are protected and allowed to thrive and grow, and that health services are made more easily available. Especially with the unique situation of being a border city and with the location of Pierceland we need better access between Saskatchewan Health Authority and Alberta Health Services. 

Question 5: What is your plan to deal with homelessness and the unhoused? 

Bloom: We want to help those that are needing help. We believe in partnering with community organizations, local outreach, not-for-profits, and mental health professionals to help address addictions, homelessness, and mental health issues. This collaborative approach is crucial for creating an effective and compassionate support system for those most in need. We will work with experts in the community to foster a collaborative environment that prioritizes long-term solutions and stability. We will provide specialized training for healthcare providers to help individuals find their way back on their feet.

Question 6: What is your plan to deal with crime and insecurity? 

Bloom: We need to help the RCMP with better funding and specialized training to stop the supply of drugs on the street. Also, we will start imposing stricter sentences for those who commit violent crimes or are repeat offenders. We need to feel safe on our streets. 

Question 7: What are your thoughts on healthcare? 

Bloom: It’s a mess. We spend more on healthcare than at any other time in our history. And services are being cut. The other parties want to throw more money at healthcare as the solution. Which is what the Sask party has done repeatedly before. The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result.

Our solution is to do a full audit of the health system and find where tax dollars are actually going. We want to eliminate the excess management that is siphoning our tax dollars and get more doctors and nurses to deliver the services we deserve.

Also, we want to start universal privatized healthcare. You are still completely covered but it would allow for doctors and specialists to open private practices and allow people more options and access to get healthcare.

Question 8: Does Lloydminster need an expanded or a new hospital?

Bloom: I know that the Jubilee long-term care home is probably ready to be replaced. And we need more respite beds. It would be something I would advocate for, but as I said before about doing a healthcare audit that will determine what projects we could look at or do. 

Question 9: What are your thoughts on the economy in the riding and on the provincial economy? 

Bloom: Like most across Saskatchewan we’ve felt the effect of inflation. We will fight against the carbon tax – net zero by 2050. This move would end our cornerstone industries of oil and farming. We want to negotiate a new arrangement with the federal government that mirrors Quebec. We want more control over our natural resources and immigration, so we can grow our economy with proper infrastructure in place to keep housing and services available and affordable.

Question 10: Final thoughts 

Bloom: As the time to vote is rapidly coming up – the only thing I can ask is that the people of Lloydminster and the surrounding area take the time to read all the party’s policies and promises to see what has been offered to you the voter. We need to be informed and make this decision based on what is best for you and your family. Don’t just vote for who you’ve voted for before. I’m not a politician, I am a blue-collar worker like most of you. But I believe in the Sask United Party and wouldn’t have stepped up to run if I didn’t think it would be the best option for the people of the area. The Sask Party was built to fight the left of twenty years ago. The Sask United Party is built to fight the left of today. It’s time for change. You deserve better.