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In the upcoming provincial election, voters in the Batoche Constituency will be asked to choose between four candidates representing the Green Party, the New Democratic Party, the Saskatchewan Party, and the Sask United Party. With an election to be held within the next four weeks, the candidates are eager to get on the campaign trail and meet the voters. The same questions were put to each of the candidates after the Sask United Party candidate pre-emptively reached out with her information and all had the opportunity to provide as much information as they wished.
Saskatchewan’s Green Party candidate for Batoche is Hamish Graham. Hamish Graham is the SGP leader, Naomi Hunter’s, father. Graham did not respond to this reporter’s request for information before the deadline therefore this information was gathered from the Saskatchewan Green Party’s website.
Hamish Graham was the SGP candidate in 2020 for the Batoche constituency, where he lives. He also ran federally for the Green Party of Canada in the 2021 election. He has a lifelong interest in science and learning and “gives thoughtful, strong answers to questions during political debates and interviews.”
Graham owns a haskap orchard on the outskirts of Birch Hills. He was the former president of Haskap Canada and volunteered extensively to get the word out about this locally-grown fruit, developed here in Saskatchewan at the University of Saskatchewan’s Fruit Program, through Doctor Bob Bohrs.
Hamish and his wife, Jayne, are on the board of Ness Core Ventures and have both been dedicated to nurturing the Ness Creek Music Festival site and its many community initiatives. Ness Creek has been foundational for many new Saskatchewan musicians, to be heard and have the opportunity to perform to large audiences.
Trina Miller is a dedicated volunteer, advocate, partner and mother of seven, and she is proud to be the local Saskatchewan New Democratic Party candidate for the Batoche Constituency. “Batoche, it’s time for change,” is her battle cry.
Miller, who works as a postal worker throughout the Batoche constituency, was a farmer for many years, a former school board trustee with the Prairie Spirit School Division and has worked with Saskatchewan municipalities for 11 years with the Saskatchewan Public Works Association. She is an active member of her community having served on numerous boards such as Inclusion Saskatchewan’s Inclusive Education Committee.
When asked why she is running? Trina said she sees so much potential and opportunity in the province but after 17 years of Sask. Party governments, it’s clear the province needs a change in direction. “Costs are skyrocketing. Our healthcare system is broken. Our schools are underfunded. It’s time to lower costs and get Saskatchewan out of last place in healthcare and education.”
In response to the question, what will she and the Saskatchewan NDP do for the Batoche constituency, she replied, “We will not raise your taxes. Period. Unlike the Sask. Party, we will lower them by suspending the gas tax and cutting the PST from groceries and children’s clothes.”
“We will listen to healthcare workers and fix the big problems in our healthcare system, by hiring more workers in scrubs, not suits. Saskatchewan has the worst hospital waits in Canada. Because of healthcare closures, families are travelling out of province for services that used to be offered at home. We’ll bring back local voices to the decision-making table. We will hire more doctors and nurses and expand the use of nurse practitioners to ensure everyone has access to family medicine. We will create a Grow Your Own strategy that trains Saskatchewan healthcare workers because the people with roots here are most likely to stay here. It is time to get Saskatchewan out of last place in healthcare.
It is common sense that the best investment we can make in the future of our province is investing in our kids, the future leaders of Saskatchewan. Our kids deserve to be set up for success. We will ensure our children’s success by reversing Scott Moe’s cuts to education, repairing our schools, and ensuring that children can not only succeed but thrive.
Sadly, our kids’ education has not been a priority for the Sask. Party government. Saskatchewan used to have the best-funded schools in Canada. Under Scott Moe, Saskatchewan has the lowest education funding in the country. It is time to get Saskatchewan out of last place in education. Carla Beck and our team will reverse Scott Moe’s cuts to education and get Saskatchewan out of last place.
Darlene Rowden won a contested nomination to be the Saskatchewan Party’s candidate for Batoche in the 2024 provincial election. She defeated one other candidate, Pam Winteringham. Rowden and her husband live near MacDowall and have three children.
“I am eager to win the general election this coming October so I can serve the people of Batoche and work with our Premier, Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Party to keep our Province and economy moving forward,” Rowden said. “We have so much to be proud of here, Saskatchewan is truly the best place to live, work and play – especially in the Batoche Constituency!”
Rowden, along with her husband and children, owns and operates, R&B Wilson Ranching, a 4th generation ranch located east of MacDowall, Saskatchewan.
With her life-long passion for agriculture, Rowden has served as a member of the Prince Albert Exhibition Board and as a 4-H Beef leader. Rowden has been a School Board Trustee for 14 years and is the current Board Chair of the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division in Prince Albert.
Since 2010, Rowden has volunteered on the Saskatchewan Party Batoche Constituency Association and has served as Provincial Director since 2011.
Erin Nicole Spencer is running to be the MLA for Batoche because she “believes in fighting for what truly matters—communities, families, and the future.”
Born and raised in Saskatchewan and currently residing in Warman, Spencer spent much of her life in Prince Albert. The Batoche constituency, stretching between these two communities, is familiar to her through years of serving clients in the area. From a young age, Erin says she has been driven by a deep commitment to making a positive change through advocacy and community action. This translated into entrepreneurship, and building a successful beauty business from the ground up. From pioneering the lash extension industry in Canada to opening Saskatchewan’s premier lash extension studio, she has demonstrated her ability to innovate, lead, and uplift others.
As a devoted mother of two beautiful daughters, Erin finds immense joy in raising her girls with her loving spouse of 15 years, Kevin. Becoming a mother at the age of 18 instilled in her a strong work ethic and determination, qualities that have driven her to overcome challenges and achieve success for her family. She is grateful for the strong family values and faith that guide her throughout every area of her life.
Her efforts earned her notable recognition, including the Samuel McCloud Young Entrepreneur Award in 2018. In her business career, Erin created initiatives like the ‘Kindness Project’ and the ‘Be-You-Tiful Project,’ which provided transformative experiences to deserving individuals through community-driven efforts.
Erin Spencer is committed to serving as a representative who views each person as a valued individual, promising to work tirelessly to improve everyone’s lives. She will passionately advocate for Batoche and Saskatchewan, to ensure the province remains a place where families can thrive and communities can flourish.
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