Buffalo Party, Progressive Conservatives looking to hold others to account

You probably know a fair bit about both the NDP and the Sask. Party for the upcoming election, but what about other Saskatchewan political parties?

Saskatchewan also has the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party and the Buffalo Party — the old WEXIT Party — along with the Liberal Party and the Green Party.

All four of the other party leaders joined Gormley on Oct. 8 to chat about what their party would do, if elected on Oct. 26.

On Wednesday, we looked at both the Liberals and the Greens provincially in Saskatchewan. Thursday, we look at the Buffalo Party and the PC Party.

Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan

Its leader, Ken Grey, says the PC party still stands due to the fiscal responsibility portion of the government.

Grey originally was in health care and a former NDP-worker. He explains what made him switch political parties, which included a career change into financial services.

“Free for all government spending is just a very, dangerous thing. What it can do to personal finances is devastating… the same applies to government,” he explained.

Grey said three balanced budgets in 13 years under Sask. Party power in the province doesn’t speak towards conservative values. He said the PC party is calling out to “true conservatives.”

“(Those) who feel that the Sask. Party has left them in terms of policy, and are looking for a true conservative alternative,” Grey explained.

The PC party will have 31 candidates for the upcoming election, including Grey who is running in the Regina-Walsh Acres riding.

“We’re going to field enough that if we elect enough Progressive conservatives, we could theoretically hold a balance of power in a minority government or we could have a pretty significant caucus that we can raise true conservative values,” he said.

In terms of driving up interest in the party, Grey said this election provides a new strategy.

“We’re hoping that if we can put our message out… what we want to do is put our best foot forward, put out our message, and then let the people of Saskatchewan decide,” he said.

“It’s a clean slate… we’re operating on a much smaller budget than the other parties.”

For more on the PC party, click here.

Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan

The Buffalo Party is the new name for the Saskatchewan WEXIT Party, which was announced in July.

Its leader, Wade Sira joined the party before the name change and took over leadership. He is running as the party candidate in Martensville-Warman.

Of the 61 ridings, 17 candidates are registered for the Buffalo Party. Sira said the party represents a ‘fair deal’ for Saskatchewan.

“We are for an independent, free Saskatchewan… we don’t want to be taken over, and taken advantage of any more by Ottawa,” he explained. “We want to end equalization.”

Sira said separation is not necessarily aligned with the party, but more ‘if necessary.’

“We want to make sure that we control the goods, services, taxes and everything that Saskatchewan has to offer, needs to be in full control out of Regina, not Ottawa,” he said.

Sira explained that it is not pushing for a Saskatchewan-wide referendum. He is focusing on the foundation of the confederation, fixing equalization and ensuring the province is taken seriously across Canada.

“We’re not just a bunch of toddlers throwing a hissy fit here. There (are) ways to fix confederation,” he claimed.

Sira said the 17 candidates have been put in Saskatoon, Warman, Martensville, Lloydminster and Estevan, with the rest in the rural areas of the province.