Saskatchewan residents will vote in today’s election to decide who will form the next provincial government.

Scott MoeThe Saskatchewan Party is seeking a fifth consecutive majority after 17 years in power, while Carla BeckThe NDP is seeking to take back government for the first time since 2007.

Political experts say Moe is favored to win, given his party’s strength in rural areas, but polls suggest a tighter race.

Moe promised broad tax breaks and to continue withholding federal carbon tax payments to Ottawa.

Beck has pledged to spend more to improve health care and education, suspend the gas tax and eliminate the provincial sales tax on children’s clothing and some groceries.

Residents can vote today at polling stations across the province between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., with counting beginning after polls close.

On Sunday in Regina, Beck told supporters she was ready to make the changes people are calling for.

“It’s time to have a government that will work with you, not for itself,” said Beck, who would be the province’s first female premier if her party wins.

“It’s time to fix health care here in the birthplace of Medicare, it’s time to make life more affordable from day one.”

“It’s time to invest in our children, our most important resource, and ensure they get the education they need.

“And it’s time to get the economy back on track.”

Moe had no public events planned for Sunday.

But on Saturday in Saskatoon, Moe said existing governments had struggled and his party faced similar challenges.

“That being said, we have 61 of the best candidates that I have certainly met,” he told reporters.

Blaine HiggsNew Brunswick’s Progressive Conservatives were defeated last week Susan Holt‘s Liberals. Higgs, who lost his own seat, remained in office for six years.

Moe said he plans to create a better future for everyone.

“What we are focused on is forming a majority government,” he said.

Saskatchewan’s campaign focused largely on health care, affordability and crime, although Moe raised the issue of school locker rooms later in the race.

In his pledge, Moe said his first thing if re-elected would be to ban “biological boys” from using school locker rooms with “biological girls.”

He made the promise after learning of a complaint at a southeastern Saskatchewan school about two biological boys using a girls’ locker room. This commitment was not previously included in his party’s platform document.

A parent of the two children targeted by the complaint is an NDP candidate. Moe said he didn’t know that when he made the promise.

Beck said the ban would make vulnerable children even more vulnerable. She also promised to repeal a Saskatchewan Party law that requires parental consent when children under 16 want to change their name and pronouns at school.

Beck said voters want the next government to address more pressing issues, including classroom sizes, improving health care and the ability to pay for gas and groceries.

Beck says her promises will cost an additional $3.5 billion over four years, with plans to cut what she calls the Saskatchewan Party’s waste and balance the budget by the end of her term.

Moe’s platform is expected to cost an additional $1.2 billion over four years. He says his tax cut plan would save a family of four $3,400 over four years. It also includes tax credits for those looking to expand their families or enroll their children in sports and the arts.

Moe promised deficits in the first two years, followed by a surplus in 2027.

Polls suggest a close race between the two parties, but the distribution of ridings means an uphill battle for the NDP.

To secure a majority in the 61-seat legislature, the NDP would need to win all 28 seats in the three largest cities – Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert – and hope for help elsewhere.

At the time of the dissolution, the governing Saskatchewan Party had 42 seats, while the opposition NDP had 14. There were four independents and one seat was vacant.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published October 28, 2024.