The candidates running in the Battlefords all plan to keep campaigning up until the Nov. 7 vote.
All four candidates in the Battlefords - Ryan Bater of the Liberals, Herb Cox of the Saskatchewan Party, Len Taylor of the NDP and Owen Swiderski of the Green Party - said last week's all candidates forum went well, and all believe their campaigns are going well.
That was the message they gave to reporters at the conclusion of the Chamber of Commerce's election forum in the Battlefords Wednesday at the Western Development Museum.
Taylor said the forum was civil in tone and gave candidates the opportunity to comment on a whole broad spectrum of issues affecting the Battlefords. He told reporters he believes he was able to get his message out about the experience he offers, as well as the NDP's positions on resources.
"In prosperous times we need to ensure everyone benefits from the resource revenues in the province," said Taylor.
Taylor says the public has responded "quite well to my campaign." He notes financial donations are up and there are more volunteers than before.
Cox says the forum defined where his party stands.
"What defines our party is that we are taking care of all aspects of our economy and the people of Saskatchewan," said Cox. He cited programs for the disabled as well as for seniors.
"The next four years we are going to triple the seniors income plan from what it was under the NDP," said Cox, who gave credit to Premier Brad Wall.
"He's not only looking after business, he's not only concerned about growth, he's concerned about what growth can do for the people of Saskatchewan."
Swiderski, a farmer and a truck driver who said he never thought he would get into politics with the Green Party, said he was able to keep up with the other experienced debaters on the stage Wednesday.
The night did have its hiccups for Swiderski, though. There were microphone issues at his podium, forcing the organizers to change equipment early on so people in the back of the hall could hear him. As well, the moderator initially referred to him as "Swidensky."
Swiderski took it all in stride.
"It was fun. This is what democracy looks like," said Swiderski. "I'm so glad people came out to participate and to hear all sides of the issues."
At the forum Swiderski pushed his environmental platform, including opposition to nuclear and concern over the closing of the Maple Leaf Foods plant.
"It was great. It's my first kick at the can and I think I did not too bad. I mostly went off the cuff and just spoke from the heart."
Liberal leader Bater said the forum went "very well" for him and said the only disappointing thing was that "there was just the one opportunity" for a forum.
He said he was able to get his message out to the public that the Battlefords can change politics in the province Nov. 7.
"The Battlefords is the only community that can change the political dynamic in Saskatchewan," said Bater. "It's all about leadership in the Battlefords and an opportunity to inject a new voice in Regina."
It turns out Bater was among those who didn't catch the televised leaders' debate Tuesday, telling reporters he didn't even bother to watch. Instead he was out campaigning, saying he put up 20 new sign locations.
Bater, who was excluded from the TV debate, says he's seen enough from Brad Wall and Dwain Lingenfelter in the legislature already.
"I've seen Brad and Dwain debate over the last four years," said Bater. "I don't need to see it any more. From what I'm told it was a boring 55 minutes of TV, and I'll tell you what - next time, if we are successful here, I'll be there and it will be an exciting hour of television, I can promise people in the Battlefords that."
