Tariffs and financial uncertainty seem to have taken centre stage at the federal Liberal party’s rally in Saskatoon on Wednesday.
Liberal leader Mark Carney was greeted by over 1000 supporters, and a few hecklers, at the Remai Modern Art Gallery in downtown Saskatoon. He started his speech by assuring the cheering crowd that the upcoming election is the most consequential one of our lifetimes. He added shortly after that Canada will never be the 51st state, and promised every dollar earned from tariffs on U.S. goods will be used to support Canadians, such as Saskatchewan steelworkers.
“We are protecting our own, but the big thing that we are doing, and we’re drawing on the values of Saskatchewan, is to build this great country.”
Carney says under him, millions more homes would be built, all using Canadian technology, timber, workers, unions, and design. This promise complies with one of his many goals as a leader, which would be achieving an economy that allows young people to afford a home. He also aims to turn Canada into an energy superpower through the generation of oil, gas, nuclear and clean energy.
“An energy superpower that harvests our critical metals and minerals in full partnership with Indigenous peoples,” he assures.
Carney also vows to build trade relationships with reliable partners such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Asia and Europe. When it comes to international interest in entering partnerships, Carney says Canada’s metaphorical “phone is now ringing off the hook.” All of his promises were underlined with the importance of reconciliation.
Just several blocks away, a completely different atmosphere and roughly 300 supporters welcomed NDP leader Jagmeet Singh to the party’s West campaign office. Singh didn’t focus much on Donald Trump, a trade war, or tariffs. Instead, he began by listing what he believes both the Conservative and Liberal parties are not going to deliver for Canadian families. He says Pierre Poilievre aims to cut healthcare and pensions, whereas Mark Carney will cut PharmaCare and services for the average family in order to give tax cuts to millionaires.
“He’s (Carney) certainly going to be there for billionaires and CEOs, but is he going to be there for you and your family when the times are tough?” A handful of ‘no’s echoed back.
He added that “The best things that have ever come out of our Parliament, have been when New Democrats have been there.” He cites a few examples of NDP-led initiatives, including universal healthcare, pensions, old-age security, employment insurance, and most recently, dental care and PharmaCare. Singh encouraged the crowd to vote NDP in the upcoming federal election if they believe in access to free medication, universal PharmaCare, reliable healthcare, a housing market that works for people, and putting workers first.
Also present at the rally was Federal NDP candidate for Saskatoon West Rachel Lowen Walker. She says the party is quite optimistic when it comes to picking up her riding’s seat.
“We have hundreds, thousands, of incredible conversations to track, and we have powerful support coming through…They know that NDP is the party that is going to stand up for people.”
She adds that the Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River is another seat that the party is confident about securing. She says often times, especially when in crisis, voters think their only choice is between Liberal and Conservative, when “In fact, we need (to vote for) the things that make us Canadian. We need to stand up for healthcare. We need to stand up for PharmaCare, dental care…If we don’t have those things, we are not Canadian.” NDP Leader Singh will be staying in Saskatoon overnight and making an announcement at the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations on Thursday.
Canadians will head to the polls April 28th.
