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Voters in three Saskatchewan constituencies are to pick their new MLAs on Aug. 10.
On Thursday, the provincial government announced the date for byelections in the Regina Coronation Park, Regina Walsh Acres and Lumsden-Morse ridings.
Advance polls are to run from noon to 8 p.m. on Aug. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8. On Aug. 10, polls are to be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“Voters in these three constituencies will have a chance to decide which candidate will ensure Saskatchewan’s strong growth continues and that it’s growth that works for everyone,” Premier Scott Moe said in a media release. “I expect to see a strongly contested campaign by all parties and candidates.”
NDP Leader Carla Beck said in a release that her party is confident about the byelections.
“We’re taking nothing for granted,” she said. “We plan on continuing to earn the trust and support of Saskatchewan voters one door at a time. We have great candidates who are really connected to their communities. They’re ready to tackle the issues keeping their neighbours up at night, like healthcare and the cost-of-living crisis.
“Saskatchewan people deserve leaders that will work just as hard as them. We’re ready to hit the ground running on Day 1.”
All three seats previously were held by the Saskatchewan Party, but have been vacant in recent months.
Mark Docherty stepped down as the Regina Coronation Park MLA in early February to pursue other opportunities. The NDP’s Noor Burki will run against the Sask. Party’s Riaz Ahmad in the byelection for that seat.
The Lumsden-Morse riding has needed a representative since Lyle Stewart stepped down for health reasons in early March. The Sask. Party’s Blaine McLeod will run against the NDP’s Kaitlyn Stadnyk in that byelection.
The Regina Walsh Acres riding needs to find a new MLA after Derek Meyers passed away in late March after a battle with cancer. The NDP’s Jared Clarke will take on the Sask. Party’s Nevin Markwart for that seat.
At a media event in Regina on Thursday, Moe was asked why it took so long to call the byelections.
“We needed some time, ultimately, to go through the candidate selection process, have those candidates in place and have them comfortable in going out and doing all of the things that they need to do in the lead up to a campaign,” he said.
Beck also was asked about the timing of the call.
“I don’t think it’s lost on many people that they waited until almost the very last minute, the last hour, to call these byelections,” she said during a media conference.
Burki was nominated by the NDP on April 27, Stadnyk on June 12 and Clarke on June 13. Ahmad (May 27), Markwart (June 5) and McLeod (June 8) were chosen as the Sask. Party’s candidates some time ago.
— With files from 980 CJME’s Daniel Reech
