Politics – I can play too!

Yesterday I was informed by a prior political adviser to one of the current parties in Saskatchewan that my campaign can be DISQUALIFIED. Oh, really! How might this occur? Well…it appears to some it may be seen as bribing the constituents by saying, “I am committed to giving back from my MLA salary if elected, monthly or 20% of the basic MLA salary to the constituents of Saskatoon Nutana.” No where did I say a name, no where did I say an exact amount, no where did I say an exact time this clandestine event would occur. LOL.

The Saskatchewan Elections Act is a great place to find information on this very thing. Pages and pages of STUFF regulating how elections in Saskatchewan are controlled. The 1930 Revised act Chapter 4 goes over disqualification in sections 42-44. Nope, none apply here. Completely irrelevant. It does say for interest though, “Executory contracts arising out of elections void. 192 Every executory contract, promise or undertaking in any way referring to, arising out of or dependent upon an election, even for the payment of lawful expenses or the doing of a lawful act, shall be void.R.S.S. 1920, c.3, s.267; R.S.S. 1930, c.4, s.192.” Clearly the meaning behind this statement must have changed otherwise Scott Moe’s statements surrounding “home renovations” and “athlete tax credits” to mention two would be promises arising out of elections and would be considered void.

The New Saskatchewan Elections Act of 2015 “Chapter L-30.11* of The Statutes of Saskatchewan, 2015 (effective January 1, 2016) as amended by the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 2017, c.P-30.3; and 2019, c.10.” lists “Bribery” as an item of concern. It will take a bit to wrap your brain around this piece of political trash in relation to elections considering the Premier and Opposition Leader both were talking about spending, promises of tax credits for this or that, they promise the moon prior to the voter entering the voting booth.

A few items to consider are as follows:

1) Home construction money

2) Athletic tax credit

These offers are directed at a specific group of people in the province as not all are in a position to benefit from them. Shouldn’t offers be universally available to all residents of Saskatchewan otherwise, in this case, class bias appears? If you don’t own a home, or rent, the construction money is unavailable. If you don’t have kids in athletics and need more equipment then this too is unavailable. Perhaps it is still defined as first the consumer has to pay something to get something in return, well this from my law classes is a classic contract with “offer and acceptance”…listed above as a bribe in an election.

The question now is, “How is my offer of taking a 20% reduction of my salary if elected and giving it back to those in need in my political area viewed as a “bribery” or “undue influence?” Who has been influencing who?

Back to the question, as a political candidate I have promised no one specifically and have not offered any contract that anyone who can be identified, nor a date to, or a specific amount, but is actually quite vague. I was also not looking for a tax credit by suggesting the cut and distribution of salary. In fact, people still would have to apply in writing for themselves or via a friend to be considered for any of it. Setting up a volunteer panel from the local constituency / community was the plan of who and how the funds would be dispersed. Leaving no relationship to myself and whomever gets the gift. The guide to the volunteers would be to give in smaller amounts to those in need. If larger amounts are needed, then these volunteers can look beyond their resources for others in the community to further assist. However, enabling this committee to seek beyond letters and emails for causes to support would be within their scope. Perhaps it can be identified as the “MLA Emergency Fund of Nutana”.

In time, those in the community who would like to additionally help, that avenue will be available. Once the committee is formed they will run the show, so to speak.

Note: I am not asking or seeking political contributions for a campaign, for posters, billboards, huge political mailers, or for grandstanding my political party at the expense of the province through tax credits or corporate sponsors on late night television and news media. So…who is bribing who and who is using undue influence?


Elections – Who are they for, the people or the candidate?

Elections mean the most to younger people as they have a future to consider…comprising yet many decades.
The toughest thing I have seen this election is a MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) works for their party to achieve what the party wants and NOT for the constituents. It may be the party goals and the politician see exactly the same way…I really doubt this.

I am running for the Saskatchewan Green Party but I have many things I personally want to see addressed or corrected that are outside of my political party’s focus, that is okay. It shows I am thinking about the community around me and not just what the leaders say is important. I have learned what politicians tell you is important is important to their leader and so they agree. It is ironic I say this as I too am following a platform laid out by the party leader. The part that is important, I have my own issues I have seen and heard about in my area that needs help.

How can a MLA show their constituents they are working for them and not entirely for the party or lobbyists? It would be insightful to open the bank deposits of all elected officials to see what money they are getting and from whom? It has to be a wonder for some how elected officials are retiring with immense fortunes acquired since being elected to office. Another great yardstick would be for an MLA once elected to be required to show to their constituents what they have done for their area. Not the province as a whole but the specific area. Another would be to know what individual goals for the area a MLA has, or is their focus just to follow the provincial leader? One more, be accountable to ALL the people and businesses in their area, not just the wealthier ones with influence.

As always people are concerned about their jobs, their savings, social insurance, their health, their homes, their education, their future, that is a given always.

Giving a tiny tax credit here or there accounts for little. Abandoning the STC (provincial bus system) was huge and devastating to many seniors, small towns, young people, those without transportation, and shipping services for businesses to name a few. The STC was chopped so fast and still the party in power thinks many didn’t notice! How about the personal RV being stored in the abandoned fenced in new Bus Terminal in Regina? Who is benefiting from that?

One person said about children living on the streets, “some kids prefer it”! Should kids really be making that kind of decision? Putting them into school doesn’t solve how they are going to eat or sleep or be safe and warm. There needs to be more for those kids now so they are not huge issues later. In other areas I have lived isolated ranches exist where kids can be cared for, taught, and learn away from social threats. Just a thought.

Business incubators are vital and so are places for these young businesses to expand and grow. There are so many places in Saskatoon with lease signs or are levelled lots waiting for construction yet the capital needed to acquire them are out of reach for a new business. There are low income housing for seniors and families, why not a low income business locations where businesses can grow from?

Why isn’t there more places for locals to spend their money in recreational activities here locally in the city? Having hotels, bars, and restaurants is one thing but our youth, residents, and visitors need more, lots more.

These are concerns and even if not elected will continue to focus on. Really! My focus isn’t just for politics, it is because it is needed.