By Canadian Press

Party leaders in Saskatchewan to square off in televised debate

Oct 14, 2020 | 2:05 AM

REGINA — Leaders of Saskatchewan’s two main political parties are to face off tonight in a televised election debate.

Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe and NDP Leader Ryan Meili are to stand two metres apart as they discuss issues in advance of the Oct. 26 provincial election

Other COVID-19 safety and screening protocols will also be in place,

The debate will be a first for Moe and Meili, who both won their party leadership contests two years ago.

Moe, who moved into the premier’s office when Brad Wall retired from politics in 2018, has recently faced tough questions on the campaign trail about his past.

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He apologized to the family of a woman killed in a car crash that he caused in 1997, and he disclosed an impaired driving charge from 1994 that was stayed.

Moe also promised millions in new tax credits and rebates if the Saskatchewan Party secures a fourth term in government. 

And he has pledged to carry out his spending plan while digging the province out of a $2.1-billion deficit by 2024-25. 

Meili has attacked Moe for setting that target, saying he would instead use service cuts and tax hikes to meet the goal. Meili has said he would aim to eliminate the deficit early in a second term of government.

If elected, Meili has promised to spend millions more on health care and classroom education, as well as to bring in $25-a-day daycare and a $15-an-hour minimum wage.

Both parties have framed their platform spending as being a stimulus to help the provincial economy recover from the pandemic.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2020.

The Canadian Press