Live Debate Blog
October 30, 2007 | 04:19 PM
(Kevin O'Connor, CBC Saskatchewan's online journalist, posted this blog while the debate was in progress Tuesday night.)
(7:30) With their final comments, the three leaders seek to calm the waters. The rhetoric is toned down, the show ends and the three men shake hands. Still, I have to give the final word to one of our blog commenters tonight: "This seems to be a very yelly affair."
(7:26) On a question about how the parties would manage the province’s finances, Calvert sends a zinger Wall’s way, reminding him of his past association with the Grant Devine administration.
“How many budgets did you balance?” he asks.
(7:12) There’s a feisty three-way exchange about the future of health care. Calvert says the NDP government has decreased surgical wait times and has been successful in adding more doctors to the health care system. He turns to a key NDP promise: a universal prescription drug program that caps prescription costs at $15 a go.
Why can’t Saskatchewan provide this to its citizens in a time of unprecedented prosperity? he asks Wall.
Wall talks about the need to add more front-line health care workers, nurses and doctors, to the system.
Karwacki takes more shots at the “gold-plated” health care plan the Saskatchewan Party and NDP MLAs temporarily approved for themselves. He also says Calvert needs a $15 prescription for a truth serum. Oh my.
(7:04) Shawn from Swift Current asks what the politicians are going to do about crumbling highways.
“You can’t drive any highway in Saskatchewan without things … falling off your vehicle,” says Shawn.
Karwacki talks about the Liberal highways plan, but then goes off on a tangent about how cities will be the “Velcro” that keeps young people in the province.
(6:54) “I don’t believe you’re going to form the next government,” Karwacki says to Calvert. Calvert doesn’t look pleased.
“I guess when you’re short on votes, you go long on words,” Calvert says when Karwacki runs out the clock.
(6:47) A man named George Morrow throws the leaders a bit of a softball question about how they would spend taxpayers' money. Lots of shouting ensues. Another question about how the leaders will manage Saskatchewan's economic boom also turns into a free-for-all.
(6:39) The debate begins with opening statements. Saskatchewan Party Leader Wall speaks first. He talks about balancing the budget, some of his campaign promises and the NDP’s wolf ad. I miss some of it because I’m staring at his pin-striped suit. It’s making my TV monitor do funny things.
Liberal Leader David Karwacki is next in a conservative blue suit. He accuses the other leaders of “pretending to fight with each other.” He also gets in a dig at the “gold-plated” health plan MLAs approved for each other before backing off.
NDP Leader Lorne Calvert, also in conservative blue, calls us “friends" and talks about the buoyant Saskatchewan economy. “Our province is more prosperous than it has ever been.”
(6:26 p.m.) Lots of activity outside our front door. About 70 NDP supporters pile out of a bus and chant as Lorne Calvert heads into the building. There’s a smaller group of Liberals standing off to the side, near some shrubs. Brad Wall, I’m told, came in a few minutes earlier. There isn’t a public gallery at the debate so the volunteers get back on their buses.
Debate will start in a few minutes. It’s a different format from last time. Instead of journalists posing the questions, members of the public will put the politicos on the spot, through video clips. Host Holly Preston will pose three of the nine questions.
(3:33 p.m.) I'm down here in my usual cubbyhole in the basement at CBC headquarters on Broad Street in Regina. The provincial leaders debate is a little less than three hours away. Upstairs, it's a beehive of activity. Technicians are making last-minute adjustments to the lights and cables as they get ready for Lorne Calvert, Brad Wall and David Karwacki.
From 6:30 p.m. or so on, I'll be typing like crazy to provide you with my take on events. There'll be some blow-by-blow action, a smidgeon of analysis, some colour and hopefully a few zingers.
Sound like your cup of tea?
Then drop by, have a read and send us your comments.
We'd love to hear from you.
Comments: (76)
Astonishing, simply astonishing. The Sask Party victory is truly indicative of a public that has forgotten the province was bankrupt not long ago. Bankrupt by right wing ideas and mismanagement...and they are risking it all again.
More telling still is the fact that those in the province who vote and believe in the "free market" are also the first to run to government to help them become solvent...over and over again through the years.
Unbelievable....
Posted November 7, 2007 08:57 PM
Stan, with all your doom and gloom and rantings you should actually take a few hours and read the Sask Party's platform. The last I heard, after paying down a large portion of the $9 billion left by the last Conservative regime, Sk's population was actually increasing and the economy has not been stronger since the days of the Premier Blakeny. It is sad to say but the terrible legacy of the last Conservative regime still linger.
Perhaps you have not looked at who was making donations to the Sask party over the last few campaigns? That information is all available to the public.
Nothing in my previous post is a lie: all of statements can be supported by fact.
I do not really care who wins the election; I actually stand to make more money if the Sask Party wins and the taxpayer, like yourself, will be flipping my bill at the end of the day; I do not work to exploit from stolen lands or resoruces or amass ridiculous amounts of wealth. I am concerned about the objectives laid out in the SK Party's platform, which I have read and analyzed, unlike yourself, which threatens the future well being of the province. You are beleving revisionist rhetoric about what is there in black and white about the intentions of the SK party: I have learned a long time ago not to trust politicians of any stripe.
What exactly am I lying about? I prefer to dwelve into the facts and real history of Canada and not believe the hype of one that just crawled out from under some rock.
Crime rates = police racial profiling/racism
Balanced budgets by Conservatives in SK = 0
Debt left by the Con Party: 9 Billion = cuts
for decades.
Saskatchewan has more kilometers of highways than Ontario with less than a quarter of the tax base.
Inform yourself Stan, nothing in my post is a lie.
Posted November 6, 2007 10:32 PM
We do know what the NDP response to Domtar is regarding the environment, they will sell their souls to win this election, which is why according to the Domtar/NDP MOU, the Saskatchewan government will be on the hook for the majority of the environmental liabilities.
Wes, you're right, the fedceral transfer payments were slashed in the '90s. So why has Calvert run deficits in some of theyears since 2001? Why did he lie about it? Check with the provincial auditor, you will find that the budgets were NOT balanced.
As for your comment about me moving to Alberta and saving you tax dollars, you have it backwards, I pay taxes in Saskatchewan with money earned outside the province.
I live here because my family is here and I see a great future here when the NDP is gone.
Posted November 5, 2007 09:38 PM
I would like an answer to the following two conncern about Dometar in Prince Albert.
The NDP have in essance welcomed Domtar back into Prince Albert to re-open the pulp mill. Concern #1: Will Domtar pay back to the people of P.A the costs of the clean up of the old Domtar creosote treatment plant that was located just East of 6th Ave and 15th St East of all the contaminants that are in the soil in that location and that are contaminating the North Saskatchewan River that takes the ground water from this area.
Concern #2: Will Domtar pay for the re-forestation of our north as THEY harvest our forest for their profets.
Concern#3: Is Domtar accepting the responcability for any contamination of soils and downstreem waters as a result of the Prince Albert Pulp Mill.
I think I know what the responce would be from the current governing party but what is the responce fron the Sask Party & Liberals.
Posted November 5, 2007 03:30 PM
In response to Stan, the Saskatchewan economy is finally starting to turn the corner as we finally have a manageable debt, which took 15 years to get a handle on no thanks to the previous conservative government who left us a debt that almost bankrupt the province. During the 1990's there were millions of dollars cut by the federal government in transfer payments to the provincial government which meant cuts in services and increased taxation. I guess we could argue this one for eons, but the fact is people that left the province are starting to come home along with people that have never lived here. A question for you Stan, you work in Alberta but live in Saskatchewan why? could it be because its cheaper to live here? could it be that health care is cheaper here? could it be that we just have nicer people here? I would think that if you brag so much about Alberta maybe you should move there it would save us taxpayers some money.
Posted November 5, 2007 10:47 AM
Every young generation thinks they know it all! They think they will never get old, or sick,or fall on hard times. They think that we can go on living for today, that there is a endless supply of resources,that they don't have to think of the next generation. Todays mindset is all about excess, greed, and a complete lack of consideration for the less fortunate. It is hardly surprising they vote for the Sask party, the rest of their support usually comes from those who have little or no education, or those who are really very well off. The latter are the only ones I can understand, because they know who conservatives look after, the people who have money. So once again it seems we are going to have to repeat mistakes, of the past and learn the hard way. I only hope that we will recover from the damage they will do this time because Devine's damage took us to the edge of bankruptcy
Posted November 3, 2007 12:28 PM
Wes, if the ndp's planned economy in Saskatchewan is so good at creating jobs, why do so many people in Saskatchewan move to other provinces?
I work in a mine doing the same job that I did at a mine in Saskatchewan.
The mine in northern Sask pays about 73,000.00 working no overtime.
I will make over 120,000.00 with no overtime and the same or better benefits doing the same job out of the province.
And that is for a private company.
And no, it's not at Ft. MacMurray.
The world is full of economic lessons, Singapore and Japan are but two examples of places that have done very well with few natural resources, the fact that our economy with it's huge resource base has lagged is a disgrace.
Good high paying jobs are a great way to pay for social programs, the ndp has shown they cannot produce those jobs.
Our crime rates are the highest in the country, our wait lists are the longest, the highways are a joke.
The NDP way simply does not work.
The ndp has increased spending to record levels and have run budget deficits and lied about them.
Ask the provincial auditor.
It's time to throw them out.
Lorne Calvert has cynically tried to buy votes and has run a dirty campaign based on lies and fear mongering.
Posted November 2, 2007 09:24 PM
Does anyone know how many crown corporations there are in Saskatchewan other than the big five?
Would you believe over eighty?
You own part of a money losing insurance company in Ontario, you also own part of a money losing high tech company in BC, you own part of a money losing power company in Guyana.
You also own part of a money losing movie company in Saskatchewan, the list of money losing crowns is long.
I can see the logic of keeping the major crowns, but the other eighty, especially the money losing ones need to be reviewed, which is precisely the Sask Party position.
Posted November 2, 2007 09:01 PM
Wayne I doubt by your comments that you ever supported the NDP. Those that consider the selling of the crowns by the Sask. party scare tactics should look at the past conservative ideology which was to get rid of the crowns and put them back into private hands. The Sask. party has stated that they were opposed to the minimum wage hikes and if elected will not proceed with any more increases, this tells me they cater to private business not the low income workers in this province. The Sask. party says private business creates job, yes they do if you only want a part time job at minimum wage. To those workers at the bottom of the pay scale do not believe in a minute that the Sask. party will be of any benefit to you as they are right wing and serve only the business and corporate people, as was proven by the Federal conservatives mini budget in which corporations will benefit the most. Wayne's comment as to voting the NDP out of existence, the voters of Sask. did that in 1982 and elected a huge majority of conservative crooks who stole and embezzled money from the Sask. taxpayer, do we want that again apparently Wayne does.
Posted November 2, 2007 02:10 PM
When was there ever an election when a CCF or NDP party ran on issues?
In the last 40 or so years that I've watched, they have demonized the PC's and Sask Party over privatization of Crowns. Before they were a power, the Liberals were always going to dismantle medicare.
Scare tactics are used to intimidate voters rather than have to explain to them what you have accomplished or how many of your previous promises you have kept.
It's time to vote the NDP out of existance. This comes from someone who has supported them for years and sees what they really are.
Posted November 2, 2007 11:53 AM
it boggles the mind to think that the ndp will just piss this boom away. that they just view this extra income from our resources as free an' easy money to throw around, waste and buy votes (and pay off Jim Fodey and Murdoch Carriere). if there was anytime in the last 30 years that we should be paying down our provincial debt, it's now! with the extra money coming in and the best exchange rate ever ( to pay back those New York banks ) nows the time we should be making the biggest payments possible!
Posted November 2, 2007 10:31 AM
Two thumbs down for the 'debate' format. As for questioning the NDP's fiscal record, the 14 balanced NDP budgets were accompanied by 16 consecutive credit rating upgrades by Moody's and S&P. If you know anything about money, this speaks volumes about the NDP's excellent capability to manage the province's finances. Let's not blow it for the sake of 'change' to a party with an inexperienced leader ready to turn critical decision making over to a non-elected body called Enterprise Saskatchewan.
Posted November 2, 2007 12:15 AM
There is some obvious frustration from all political stripes on the Debate. The media has had problems making this an intelligent forum where ideas are discussed and opportunity for debate is a positive experience for viewers. Maybe the media wants to portray this as a "free for all" and make the public see this as a farce. If this is the media's agenda, shame on them for making a mockery of democracy. Many people across the world wish issues could be discussed in this manner in their countries. Some countries simply debate with bullets and economic agression on the people. What would a debate be like with the following format:
1. Opening remarks.
2. Question posed, allowing each leader to respond to the question.
3. After the first round of responses, allow each leader, in turn, a second response to debate the responses from the first round.
4. Next question, changing order of respondents, and so on....
5. Closing statements.
Posted November 1, 2007 08:56 PM
Whoops, Lorne gets caught lying in the debate about the gas taxes being all used for highways.
Naughty naughty.
Posted November 1, 2007 08:48 PM
I agree with a lot of people that a valuable hour was completely wasted on the "leaders debate". Couple of questions! Where did CBC find this ?common folk with the questions to the leaders? I wonder what people, moving here from other provinces, thought! Surely, there must be someone out there with some intelligence! No one asked the 'leaders' about the issue of the education portion of property taxes. We are all so concerned about health care and where all our dollars are being spent. I have yet to hear any comments on the cost of doing business in this province with the Justice people. For instance, can anyone tell us how much money is being spent on criminals being transported back and forth from Provincial Correctional Centers to court and back, to all areas of this province, on more than one remand hearing? What is it costing us in tax dollars to hire and retain the high numbers of Provincial Sherriffs to sit in the court rooms guarding prisoners that in most cases are habitual offenders. Seems like Saskatchewan has a 'catch and release' program in effect for the criminal element. There is hardly a mention of what any political party is considering in the area of crime and punishment, and the cost of the business of Justice! We need to get out of the rut we're in, folks!
Posted November 1, 2007 08:06 PM
Brad Wall might have said something like this, " Number one it's a different name, number two there are no people in our party that ever served in the Conservative government, number three there are actually some Conservative candidates trying to run in this election to revive the party." Why are all you socialists so scared of change? The world does not owe you a living. Calvert's prescription drug plan, tax breaks for renters, $1000 for students do absolutely nothing for the large percentage of people in Sask. Most people pay into their companies benefit plan for FULL coverage. Renters are usually in the lowest tax bracket to begin with, a tax credit for them will amount to a few $20 dollar bills. $1000 bucks/yr at university is a drop in the bucket. Enough of the "average" BS from the NDP. We are tired of an "average" government!
Posted November 1, 2007 12:44 PM
After having read the comments so far concerning the so called leadership debate I feel that I have to agree with many statements that it could have and should have been better run, the moderator should have had switches for each of the microphones.
As for some of the comments here giving credit to the Calvert government for the current boom cycle that we are having at present I do not buy into that idea. This boom that we are seeing right now is a product of the times we are living in at present, it would not have mattered who was in government, it has happened because of economic conditions.
One writer makes the comment about Lorne Calverts "average family, average citizen average etc." , I believe the proper way to look at this is that way to success under an NDP government is to never be any better than just average. The reason I believe this is because if you care to look deep enough you will soon find out that one of the main ideological beliefs of CCF/NDP/socialist leaders works like this " from each according to his ability, to each according to his need." What this basicly means is that if you work hard at whatever you do and are successfull you will be taxed accordingly to suupport that welfair bum who refuses to work because it is easier to collect social aid and sit in the bar or elsewhere while his or her kids do not have enough to eat unless they go to the local food bank, which by the is also funded or supported by the working citizen.
Another comment made by several writers says that Calvert has almost lifted Sask. out of debt, I was under the impression that that had been acheived by the Romano government, if that was true then what are we still paying off? Could it be maybe all of Calverts failed investments around the world like power companies, insurance companies, internet companies, communications companies, and other good investments like SPUDCO that were such wonderful money losing ventures.
Posted November 1, 2007 12:26 PM
if there would have been an open line on the leaders debate; i would liked to have asked "brad wall to explain to me what the difference is between the so-called saskatchewan party he now leads and the blank conservative party that he came from. (i'm perplexed!)
Posted October 31, 2007 11:56 PM
Canadian, you obviously haven't looked at the SaskParty platform and instead are relying on lies to promote your political views.
If the ndp are so great, why don't you emphasise their record? Or do you find it difficult to spin the longest health care wait lists and the highest crime rates into anything positive?
Or do you find it hard to dispute that the provincial auditor says the budgets Lorne claims are balanced actually ran a deficit?
Are Spudco and MicroGro hard to hold up as success stories?
How about the 322 million they lost on the Meadow Lake Pulp Mill?
Why can't the ndp run on it's record? I guess even they know it won't stand up to scrutiny and therefore they are reduced to lying about the opposition.
Posted October 31, 2007 10:07 PM
I agree with Bob from Moose Jaw when he commented that Calvert will need to pay for the prescription drug coverage with a tax increase. My spouse and I have mandatory coverage through work where we each pay $30+ dollars on every pay cheque for health benefits. That coverage looks after our prescription drug costs. So is Calvert promising to reduce the premiums we pay through work? Likely not. Will we get a tax cut because we don't need to use the NDP drug plan? Likely not. I think that proposal is just catering to people who are not in the majority of working, tax paying citizens of Saskatchewan. Today we got some junk mail from the NDP proposing a 30% property tax credit for homeowners and renters. If renters don't own the property they live in, why do they need a tax credit? Dumb idea, just another cost to the home owning, working, tax paying citizens. Calvert and the NDP are much more of a threat and a risk to the working, middle class than Brad Wall and David Karwacki put together. It's ime for a change, the NDP haven't helped us so far.
Posted October 31, 2007 09:42 PM
I honestly think, that if these guys can't handle discussing issues in a decent format, that they should have their audio controlled by the moderator. Three on/off switches would at least have offered us at home some form of comprehensible information.. as is, it was three guys fighting for airtime.
Shameful given that I work in the oilpatch and find there is an enormous amount of money to be controlled by whichever government comes to power this election. Alberta's changes in their royalty structure should give us all a wake up call. Should our royalty rates be mismanaged by government, they stand a chance of either keeping much needed investment away, (and we NEED to provide incentives to get the industry and the workers into the province) But we will NEED these people to cooperate and think long term.. not just "until the next election" to truly come up with an effective long term strategy to handle our environment, and our natural resource royalty structures for new industry entering this province.
You may disagree on a lot of social programs fellas, but get your heads together, and show us that we can count on you ALL to work TOGETHER as citizens of our province.. and WE will decide, who LEADS us.
Posted October 31, 2007 07:32 PM
Would the characterization of the 3 stooges be appropiate in this case? The CBC should be ashamed of how this format was set up.
Posted October 31, 2007 05:55 PM
Why does the media let the NDP get away with saying they have had 14 balanced budgets when they have not. Any basic accounting class tells you that in any fiscal period if your expenditures exceed your income you have a deficit even if you take money from a "fiscal stabilization fund" to make up the shortfall it is still a deficit.
Posted October 31, 2007 03:52 PM
The CBC is taking a lot of heat over the way the debate was set up and managed and yes they should as they were the organizers, BUT what about the childish performances that were dipslayed by out potential "leaders." I am so sick and tired of politicians talking about what terrible things the other parties are up to, or how this party or that party is going to destroy our province or way of life. Try focusing on what "YOU'RE" going to do, and build and promote your platform based on that. Taking shots at each other the way it was displayed last night not only makes the person giving the shot sound childish and like a brat trying to get out of being in trouble with their parents, but it also gives the impression that you really have nothing better to say in your time allowance, which definately raises a concern for me.
Posted October 31, 2007 01:53 PM
Everytime an election is called, an NDP party is trying to scare someone about an opposition party.
Last time it was the Sask Party and how they were going to privatize everything. The first thing the NDP did, when they retained power, was to bring the SPMC crown back under the control of exec. gov't. They sold off the echo valley conference centre, got rid of sales and salvage and opted for the ridiculous community donation program. They recently sold off the peoples share in the upgrader. Who is trying to privatize and sell off our Resources? The only ones, so far, are the elected NDP. The guys may have been a preacher but sure knows how to use half truthes and inuendoes. That is the best thing I can say about Calvert and the NDP without just calling them liars.
Posted October 31, 2007 01:40 PM
It is clearly time to regulate the media with regard to leaders' and/or candidate debates on radio and television. Media corporations seem unable to bring themselves to design a format which repects the candidates and informs the public. Perhaps this question should be submitted to the proposed citizen forum on democratic process, and their reasonable recommendations enacted in legislation.
Posted October 31, 2007 11:29 AM
The format of the debate was deplorable. Whoever came up with it should be sent back to community access tv.The free for all seemed contrived and the moderator flat footed and clumsey. The questions should have been presented by journalists instead of the general public. This wasn't a proper debate it was an annoying wall of noise. The backdrop looked like it was designed for a high school dance. The sound didn't come on until well into the introduction. C'mon Saskatchewan media you can do alot better than this. I switched channels. Some producer must have thought with such a close election it would bode well to promote a raucus spectacle. The gladiator approach soured and fell flat.If you can't do it right don't do it at all. Some professionalism please.We deserve better.
Posted October 31, 2007 11:13 AM
Jennifer, the sk party's plan on the environment is layed out in their platform manual on their website. It is clear and unequivicol that all barriers to corporate exploitation will be removed, including all environmental barriers.
Absolute passitivty to coroporate exploitation is the number one objective of the sk party; since there are huge amounts of money being pumped into the coffers of the sk party from corporate donours.
The sk party's only plan is to remove all barriers to support coporate exploitation so they destroy the environment, poison the water and give pennies on the dollar to the province for their exploitation, like they are doing in Alberta.
The sk party is truly frightening espicially when they have recruited Harperites like Mr. Harrison, who has opposed Aboriginal and Treaty rights without valid substantive qualification in parliament and has a very disturbing view of 'equality'; yet, holds himself out to be a supporter of Aboriginal peoples. From Hansard, it would seem that Mr. Harrison did not even learn the most basic principle that Constituional rights(including Treaty and Aboriginal rights) trump anything in the Charter based on Constituional supremacy in s. 52.
After reading the sk party's platform in detail I do not see how anyone could support a regime of exploitation, privitization and passivity to the destruction that corporations have unleashed in Alberta, not to mention the continual paternalistic views of Aboriginal peoples, their lands and their resources, which will only lead to many more millions wasted on losing cases fighting Treaty and Aboriginal rights.
For Saskatchewan to revert to the banal philisophies of the 'right' that are failing not only the people in Canada, but around the world, would be a shame. After hearing Wall speak last night and realizing that he is a Devine clone, the supporters of the sk party should really consider the demons they will reincarnate with electing a renamed con regime.
Posted October 31, 2007 11:11 AM
Because of the lack of control by the moderator some very important questions were missed that I felt should have been brought up. I felt that Mr calvert should have been asked how he was going to pay for the prescription drug plan as I sense a tax increase is the only way to pay for something like this and yet try to reduce wait times. Revenues from the oil patch couldn't sustain something like that alone. Also giving more to University students is one thing but what about all the elementary school closures and the large increases in school taxes that should have been addressed. Some of the questions that were asked were totally rediculous when there was some real serious and logical questions to be asked and answered. The Liberal candidate reminded me of the old flim flam man trying to sell you something that belongs to you in the first place.He wasn't proving anything by talking and controlling the situation that the monitor couldn't do in my eyes. I guess there all the same no matter what province there from.
Bob
Posted October 31, 2007 10:25 AM
The foremat for this debate was absurd. To expect meaningful discussion of three people when each can butt in is not a reasonable expectation. In particular, David Karwacki spoiled any potential meaningful exchange between the two potential premiers. He interrupted these exchanges so often that the moderator should have intervened. Instead, Holly Preston seemed more concerned in giving Karwacki more than his fair share of speaking. Shame on the CBC for being responsible in organizing this awful spectacle, which reflected negatively on this province.
Posted October 31, 2007 10:22 AM
"With all due respect" was truly without respect due to the format of the debate. Could this not be handled in a civil, respectful manner? Each of the leaders should have had a designated time to reply to a question, a bell rings, then onto the other leader's comment; then they should get a designated time to rebut, bell rings....and on to the next.
Last night's performance was just that, a performance. At best, it indicated who could outshout the other. Good information that voters were contemplating was secondary.
I would appreciate a proper debate.
Posted October 31, 2007 10:09 AM
Wow! Can't believe how close minded some people can be when it comes to politics and coveniently remember the mistakes of years ago (some of which were due to the economy of the time) and conveniently forget the blatant mismanagement and lies of very recent times and that our present economy has grown inspite of that mismanagement. Time for a reality check and a change.
Posted October 31, 2007 10:05 AM
That had to have set a record as the most poorly managed, non-moderated debate in history! The CBC should be ashamed at the amateurish attempt. Of all of the people that could have been chosen for moderator, Holly Preston was the worst possible choice. What a waste of an hour.
Posted October 31, 2007 10:01 AM
All the conservative sask party backers talk about change, please fill me in on what kind of change do you want. Specifics please.
Posted October 31, 2007 09:08 AM
The "debate" last night was a big disappointment in terms of the electorate learning anything of consequence. I don't think it came as any surprise that it turned into a shouting match - guess we all knew that would happen. I thought from the leader's days at university that they would know the true meaning of "debate" - get your point across in a respectful manner and try to convince your audience that your viewpoint is the correct one. This was certainly not possible last night, and you almost had to put your remote on "mute" until things calmed down.
Regarding the campaign in general, I'm totally opposed to the negative ads that run down another's stand on issues. I'd much rather have the leader's tell me what their plan is to continue and enhance the economic upturn we seem to have going in our great province right now. The negative ads are a real turn-off. I'm sure the pictures they use in these ads have been age-enhanced - I've never seen Mr. Calvert or Mr. Wall look as old and decrepit as they do in these ads.
Regarding the campaign in general, there have been some good points made by all parties and I look forward to November 7th to see what happens. To me, at the moment things are very much up in the air and I'm not sure what the outcome might be.
I certainly enjoy the Morning Editions coverage of current events. Keep up the good work.
Posted October 31, 2007 09:08 AM
No comment, the good people of Saskatchewan should start looking to the future and stop supporting policies that only focus on short term political gain.
Posted October 31, 2007 08:59 AM
To me the debate was useless, mainly due to lack of control of both the moderator and these so-called leaders. This leads us the voters to decide on past performances...and from where I sit it leads to this... Preacher Cal, has successful continued the plans put in place by Roy Romano, in the recovery from the disaster Saskatchwan got itself into by putting a Conservative Party in power. But has he proposed anything new..or been able to effectively represent Saskatchewan interest at the federal level.. I have seen nothing of this.
As for the conservative Saskatchewan Party, I really believe that Saskatchewan does not wish to be sold down the river again..for though the Party may have a new name.. it is still the same old crew as before.
This leaves us with the Liberals.. in the past while they have been a fairly stable government in the province, trying to take advantage of some possibilities and advancing the province.. however considering we have new blood at the helm... is this possible, the debate has not proved this...
As for the Greens, well while they have some good ideas, the way they want to implement them would cost us dearly...
So it is still for us to choose... the old status quo...will little change..and not to effective leadership.... sell ourselves down the river... or take a chance... that seems to me what the voters of Saskatchewan have to decide...something that leave me scratching my head
Posted October 31, 2007 03:26 AM
It is time for a change. One vote for NDP is another young person who leaves this province. Why are so many people afraid of change. Do you really want your sons, and daughters to move to Alberta? Bring the change home to Saskatchewan; and be proud!
Posted October 31, 2007 02:25 AM
Is the debate still on the net somewhere I would like to watch parts again especially when Karwacki turned his back on the guy that looks like a gopher and said there was no sense in tlaking to him he may as well talk to the next leader of the province Brad Wall. Then the gopher looks at his feet and shakes his head from side to side in defeat. Funniest thing I seen in years.
Posted October 31, 2007 12:52 AM
I watched some of the debate tonight. I say "some" because I switched the channel. How disappointing to see three men squabble on national TV. How discouraging to see a moderator who had very little control over the candidates and the proceedings. How irrating to see these three candidates talking over one another so often I really could not follow the issues or see their points on many of them. Surely there is a better way to moderate a forum of this type.
Posted October 31, 2007 12:32 AM
How can Calvert take credit for Saskatchewan's booming economy? The price of oil, wheat and uranium are dictated by the market and are not the result of NDP policies. And just like someone else said earlier, the only reason some people have moved back to Saskatchewan from Alberta is because it has become too expensive to live in Alberta. Calvert has done next to nothing to stimulate the economy aside from lowering the business tax in the last provincial budget. Calvert probably had to even hold his nose doing that because lower taxes goes against his left wing ideology but he realized that he had to do something to keep more and more people from going to Alberta. Of course I give the NDP credit for stabilizing the debt and getting the province out of the mess that Devine left us in. However, this is not 1982 and the Sask Party are not the PC's. This province really has lost an entire generation to other provinces and its time to get them back. I do not believe the NDP are capable of doing that. It is time for a change.
Posted October 31, 2007 12:15 AM
This debate was even worse than the one four years ago. Whoever chose the fomat of this debate ought to have a letter put in their employee file detailing the unfortunate outcome of this event. That three people talking at once trying to interrupt each other was repeatedly tolerated by the "mediator" is a real disservice to the voting public of Saskatchewan.
I hope the producers and politicos can agree on a new format for the next election debate so that the voters who care enough to pay attention to this drivel won't have to endure this crosstalking nightmare again.
Posted October 31, 2007 12:06 AM
I was on Highway #6 driving back to Regina and had to pull my car over when I heard Wall's opening remarks. He used the phrase "common sense" not once, but twice. Grant Devine's band of thieves and rightwingnuts referred to themselves as a coalition of common sense (as did Ontario's Harris). All they did was steal from the poor and the planet and give to the rich...
Posted October 30, 2007 11:50 PM
Well, that was quite predictable, the squabbling of the Leaders Debate, so I won't comment more on that.
Personally I would like to see change in the Province, we need to try something new. Any increase in our population is the result of overpriced housing in Alberta, so the NDP can not honestly take any credit for that at all. In fact, its a almost a joke to the people that move back here - "at least I can afford to buy a house in Saskatchewan" which really means that in Alberta, housing is scarce because there is so many people moving there. It's actually an embarrasement to our Province to be the second choice. Mr. Calvert is not a "Leader", he has done nothing for our province except sponge up any "remains" from Alberta, we need some new blood in our Government, new ideas and actually "reasons" that we can be PROUD of that people want to move and/or stay here.
Posted October 30, 2007 11:01 PM
There were a couple points worth noting during the juvenile yelling match. Two points worth noting occurred when they talked about the costing of the platforms. The integrity of the company the Sask Party got to confirm their plans would lead to a balanced budget was brought into question. Mr. Wall noted the federal government, as well as national banks use the same company. 14 + Billion dollar surplus at the federal level, give the Sask Party the reins. The Liberals were made to look like fools when Karwacki relayed his budget was counting on the 800 million a year from the equalization deal that fell through. Calvert got in a shot saying "good luck with that." The NDP platform is "too average." Every promise, every new initiative is for the "average family", the "average person". Average is not good enough, I want someone who can do better than average. Time for a change.
Posted October 30, 2007 10:32 PM
This is as close as a person could come to delivering a knockout punch. When David Karwacki silenced his opponents with his remark about the fact the Sask Party and the NDP "fight in public and they fight in the legislature, but behind closed doors they can agree to 'gold-plated' MLA health care benefits." Neither had a response! Maybe Brad forgot - again!
Posted October 30, 2007 10:31 PM
I don't know who dreamed up this format for a debate, but it was pathetic! and was a complete disservice to undecided voters. lack of control by the moderator did not allow for the leaders to clarify their platforms, when one tried to answer a question, or detail their position, they were talked over by another, therefore, making the whole hour a waste of time for an undecided person, if they bothered to watch that long! in fact, it's likely many won't even vote after watching this free for all. having the leaders stand in such a straight line rather than a bigger curve left the men on the end trying to look past Karwacki! by the way, why was he even there, who decided this, and if he was there, why not the Green Party? some questions were too general, "How you guys gonna spend my tax money?" "What are you guys gonna do about our people fighting among ourselves?" two were good though, the one about wait times for surgery and the one about highways. one last thing, calvart always followed Wall in the rotation, but Wall never followed calvart???
Posted October 30, 2007 10:31 PM
Interesting that there are comments on here from Alberta residents, commenting on how bad a Conservative type government will be for this province. Did they move from Saskatchewan to Alberta? What type of government have they had so much success with in Alberta? Conservative I'm sure!!!
Posted October 30, 2007 10:23 PM
When is CBC going to be airing the debate with the other party leaders? You can't call this a democracy supported by an independent media if you give an hour of free TV time to 3 parties and not the rest!
Posted October 30, 2007 10:20 PM
Here we go again...every twenty-five or so years, some Saskatchewan people feel the need to stick a needle in their eye...things have never been better in this province.
Come to think of it, the last time things were this good was in 1982, and we voted for a fast-talking flim-flam artist...and look what it got us.
We are about two-thirds of the way through paying off the last mess the Wall gang left us with. Let's not make that mistake again.
As for Enterprise Saskatchewan...Mr. Wall is probably the only person alive who couldn't sell counrty music in Saskatchewan (remember the 175 thousand dollar Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame debacle?)...no wonder he feels the need to have someone else make business decisions for him.
Our premier has a degree in economics, fourteen consecutive balanced budgets, and a solid economic plan that has created the current boom. Let's not blow it now.
Posted October 30, 2007 09:58 PM
Wow! I've lost respect for Karwacki. I thought he was disrespectful, went off on tangents that had nothing to do with the questions and although he kept repeating that the Liberals have the most comprehensive plans, there was no indication of what those plans actually are.
Wall was more eloquent than I had expected, but the pinstripe suit was a disaster. I thought it made him look like Pee Wee Herman and I was waiting for water to shoot out from his poppy.
Posted October 30, 2007 09:48 PM
We were looking forward to the "Leader's Debate" that was held tonight. We got absolutely nothing, nada, out of it. The debate among three cotestants is useless. It usually ends in a shouting match which was this time "won" by by Mr. David Karawaki whose party has no hope of winning. The moderator lost control often and completely. Such political debate only serves to turn people off politics. We deserve better.
Posted October 30, 2007 09:42 PM
i was under the impression this was a debate
concerning the future of our province and people and what we could expect from our three leaders running in this election. first of all their answers to the questions put to them was over run by their bickering and who would get the word in edge wise. i still haven't a clue with what the end result of most of their questions are, and how they are going to fix things. i felt it would of been better if they had allowed each other the respect to answer each question without comments.comments only made when it was their turn. so much ofr a debate.
Posted October 30, 2007 09:04 PM
Wow. Every time I see Calvert I can't help but think he is the definition of political slime. I'm embarrassed to have him represent this province on a national level.
Posted October 30, 2007 09:03 PM
I like Bob's comments. Remember the Devine years--new college building at UofS, Rafferty/Alameda dam, Fair Share Saskatchewan (that was really outrageous--having to travel to a different town in Saskatchewan for each government department), deficit spending, no plan. Why would the people of Saskatchewan vote for the Sask Party (they really are Conservatives)? I guess people didn't have enough in the 1980s.
Posted October 30, 2007 08:56 PM
Everytime Saskatchewan shows economic and social progress along comes a Ross Thatcher, a Grant Devine, and now a Brad Wall to improve on this progress. After 2 terms of Thatcher and then Devine Saskatchewan's economy is back in the doldrums. Crown Assets are sold at fire sale prices and public programs are eroded.If you vote for Brad Wall the best thing that can be said is if you hit yourself on the head with a hammer it always feels good when you stop.
Posted October 30, 2007 08:41 PM
Wow - Karwacki did get a bit annoying. I liked how he called it the nursing shortage plan... did he really say that cities were the Velcro holding young people in?? And what was with that bit about his grandma cleaning toilets? If she's still around, mine could use a bit of help...
Posted October 30, 2007 08:41 PM
I agree that the whole thing was irritating with the constant interrupting. I disagree with the comment
"I particularly like the way that Karwacki has shut up Calvert and virtually ignored him. He has stressed the fact that Wall is going to win and Calvert is relegated to the dust bin."
I found Karwacki's behaviour and body language rude and childish -- almost American in tone. I think his behaviour backfired. I was hoping someone would take the high road and remember his manners. Someone who was addressing the issues and not attacking the others would have been refreshing.
Posted October 30, 2007 08:38 PM
As usual, CBC fails to manage a debate properly, with politicians all talking at once and Holly Preston unable to be heard as she tries to manage them. Thumbs down.
The clear winner was Lorne Calvert; Karwacki seemed to have been advised to be speaking as loudly and as as much as possible without necessarily saying anything and Wall is clearly not ready for leadership. I hope a lot of people were watching
Posted October 30, 2007 08:37 PM
Karwacki should just write a story book. His personal dialogues do nothing to answer the questions put forward by the people of this province.
Calvert really nailed Wall a few times. Wall has become much more of a polished speaker but continues to avoid any actual concrete answers that address the issues at hand. Skipping around what needs to be done does not convince me.
Calvert needed to assert himself more, but at least he did not look like a total chump as the other candidates did.
Calvert clearly won, he was the only one who presented himself honestly.
Posted October 30, 2007 08:36 PM
Although I am a Sask Party fan I feel Mr Karwacki has won this debate. I would say 1. Karwacki 2.Wall 3. Calvert.
I particularly like the way that Karwacki has shut up Calvert and virtually ignored him. He has stressed the fact that Wall is going to win and Calvert is relegated to the dust bin.
Posted October 30, 2007 08:22 PM
I am watching the debate right now, and quite frankly, given their behaviour.....none of them are disciplined enough to be our Premier!
Posted October 30, 2007 08:17 PM
Why is Karwacki in this debate? In no other province does a party that doesn't hold a seat in the legislature get to participate in a leaders' debate.
The debate would actually be quite informative if he wasn't there interrupting the others constantly.
Posted October 30, 2007 08:16 PM
I'm undecided at the moment, but just the fact that the Green Party isn't represented in the debate makes me want to vote for them. CBC and the politicians in the debate are so out of touch with me as a voter.
Posted October 30, 2007 08:09 PM
What about the housing issue? Especially for low-income people?
Posted October 30, 2007 08:04 PM
This format is not very productive. Everybody speaks at once. Why not have each leade take turns attacking each other on the question submitted. I'm getting not much out of this. Karwacki seems to hog a lot of time. I find him rather irritating
Posted October 30, 2007 08:04 PM
What is each party's stance on the environment -- specifics please, not generalities. And specific information about Sask's role in the nuclear industry.
Posted October 30, 2007 08:03 PM
I'm only 12 and I know that global warming is a big issue. Why aren't our election candidates talking or mentioning what they would do?
Posted October 30, 2007 08:02 PM
What's wrong with the people of Saskatchewan? The economy is strong, investment is good. Why would the people of Saskatchewan even entertain voting for the Saskatchewan Party? This party (and its leader) don't embody the values of the people of Saskatchewan. Why would you vote for someone who wants to create "Enterprise Saskatchewan" but won't tell you who the leader is? Would a major corporation ask their shareholders to "trust us on this one" and appoint a CEO without providing some background? What the people of the Sask. Party don't understand is that the NDP had difficult decisions to make in the 1990s. Do people actually think if the NDP had mis-managed the economy that there would be a boom?
We are starting to feel the effects of fewer people coming from Saskatchewan in my industry in Alberta.
I'm rather disappointed in listening to the debate tonight on the internet. The only polite politican is Calvert.
Main issues in the election should be: education, health, managing the economy, poverty. Take some direction from Ed Stelmach! He has a plan.
Posted October 30, 2007 08:01 PM
this seems to be a very yelly affair.
Posted October 30, 2007 07:57 PM
Wow. What a bunch of rude men. Trying to out-shout each other.
Shameful.
Posted October 30, 2007 07:50 PM
Over the past decade the costs of post-secondary education have risen beyond the ability of many people to pay. What would the parties do ensure access to everyone who is capable rather than just those who can afford it.
Posted October 30, 2007 07:48 PM
Why aren't our 'leaders' bringing up the issues of poverty, agriculture and the environment? Where have all the issues gone this election?
Posted October 30, 2007 07:00 PM
Is the Debate at 6:30 Central Time or Mountain Time??
Posted October 30, 2007 06:43 PM
Why do all the political parties not have a plan for the provincial debt.
Posted October 30, 2007 06:29 PM
When will SaskTel be allowed to compete in the Manitoba market?
Posted October 30, 2007 06:26 PM