Former Sask. Party MLA suggests government's approach not resonating with voters ahead of byelection
CBC
Former Saskatchewan Party legislator Mark Docherty didn't mince words when asked about the governing party.
Docherty, speaking this week on Regina podcast The SKoop, appeared to be at odds with the direction of the government, suggesting its current approach isn't resonating with voters.
He knocked the Saskatchewan Party's tag line, "growth that works for everyone," because it hasn't worked for everybody. "People are struggling," Docherty said.
"If I say that message to somebody, they kind of look at me dumbfounded. They don't understand. They're going, 'What have you done? What has this government done for us?"'
Docherty served as the member of the legislative assembly for Regina Coronation Park under the Saskatchewan Party government for nearly 12 years. He resigned in February to pursue other opportunities.
His comments come as a byelection campaign is underway in Coronation Park, as well as in the city's Walsh Acres constituency and in Lumsden-Morse, outside the provincial capital.
Docherty declined further comment Friday when reached by The Canadian Press. However, on the podcast, he said constituents had asked him why they should vote for the Saskatchewan Party.
He didn't have an answer.
"[They say] 'why should we vote for you or the Sask. Party?' Before, I had an answer, right? This time, it's difficult," he said. "It's a difficult question. And if you're actually there to serve people, and that's your job, then serve them."
Docherty also said he struggled to tell a constituent what infrastructure projects have been built in Coronation Park.
"They said, 'What have you done for us? What's your legacy? What infrastructure has been put in place in regards to Coronation Park?"' he recalled.
"And I looked and I went, oh my God, the answer is going to be nothing. I didn't know what to say and I had been advocating, lobbying."
Saskatchewan Party executive director Patrick Bundrock said the party disagrees with Docherty's comments.
Bundrock said the former legislator is now a private citizen. He said the Saskatchewan Party government has been involved in several projects in Regina, including operational funding for schools and a new urgent care centre.
As their role in health care continues to grow, nurse practitioners across Canada are looking to Alberta, where nurse practitioners recently formed their own union — but on P.E.I., the nurses' union that represents them says it's doing its job.
As the fallout over fallen buildings in Gore Park continues, Hamilton officials will be turning their attention to other properties.
Fire crews responded to a transport truck fire on the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit.
When the government touts that its auto insurance reforms might curb premiums by $400 come 2027, the ministers and premier don't readily mention what's to come in the three years leading up to that.
Who poses the greater threat to the free speech of Conservative MPs — the Speaker of the House of Commons or the leader of the Conservative Party?
As city council prepares to vote on a temporary shelter village for people experiencing homelessness in Thunder Bay, Ont., opposition is growing among the area's business community.
A Toronto centre for Black art is hosting an exhibition this weekend that exclusively features work by artists from across the African diaspora.
Click on the video player above on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. ET to watch the 2024 Vanier Cup.
This story is part of CBC Health's Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news emailed to subscribers on Saturday mornings. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.
Some Canadian seniors say they're feeling abandoned by the Liberal government's latest inflation relief measure after learning they don't qualify for it.
WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.