Election 'challenging' says Sask. Party's Moe, as NDP's Beck addresses her party's rural prospects

Saskatchewan's 2024 provincial election campaign is close to the finish line and the leaders of the NDP and the Sask. Party are making their final appeals.

Monday is the last day of voting (polls are closed on Sunday) and Elections Saskatchewan says results deciding who will govern the province — should be out by midnight that day.  

The leaders of Saskatchewan's two main parties were in Saskatoon on Saturday renewing their pitches to voters. 

Speaking to reporters after a noon-hour event, Sask. Party leader Scott Moe responded to questions about recent provincial elections outside of Saskatchewan.

That includes the New Brunswick election that brought an end to six years of Progressive Conservative rule.

The Liberals won after taking 31 seats there. In B.C. the race after an election earlier this month remains too close to call and counting resumed on the weekend with NDP maintaining a narrow lead.

"I would say incumbent governments have had it tough, and that's likely the case we're having — a challenging election, I would say here in Saskatchewan. That being said, we have 61 of the finest candidates," Moe said Saturday. 

He also addressed some of the unexpected issues that have popped up on the campaign trail.

That includes a report that came out mid-campaign that former Sask. Party MLA Gary Grewal breached conflict of interest rules by owning motels that profited from government contracts.

There was also some confusion over damage to a Sask. Party campaign office that Moe initially said was caused by gunshots. Police later confirmed the damage was not caused by gunshots. 

Then there were defections from  one-time party loyalists, including Randy Weekes, former Sask. Party MLA and Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature.

Weekes made a series of allegations on his way out of the party and in recent days was among those putting his support behind the NDP and Carla Beck. 

Moe says despite the challenges, his team has waged "a very strong campaign."

"There's been various discussions in the media and questions asked of which we've always right to provide the clarity. And we feel it's important for us as a party, for myself as a leader, to provide clarity to the people of Saskatchewan," Moe said.