The Moose Jaw Wakamow constituency now has four candidates running in the upcoming provincial election on Oct. 26, with Moose Jaw born-and-raised Darcy Jensen officially filing as a candidate with the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan over the weekend.
Jensen, who currently lives in Regina, decided to put his name in for consideration because he still considers Moose Jaw home and he says Moose Jaw Wakamow deserves an MLA who will listen to constituents about their problems and work to solve them.
Despite being a Regina resident, Jensen made clear that he has many ties back to the City of Moose Jaw, including a number of family members still living here, which prompted him to spend a lot of time here.
“I still have plenty of ties to Moose Jaw, and I still consider it home. It’s always been home, and that’s why I decided to run,” said Jensen. “Moose Jaw has always been a place that I love and I want it to be successful and a great place, so I threw my hat in the ring and decided to be the candidate for Moose Jaw Wakamow.”
Jensen said he thinks the policies of the PC Party would benefit the Moose Jaw riding and offer a better alternative to both the Sask. Party and the NDP for voters to consider.
As a previous supporter and canvasser for the NDP, Jensen said he turned away from the party because he felt there was too much infighting and dishonesty in policies.
He also felt the current government isn’t spending the province’s money in places that matter, such as seniors’ care.
“My mom passed away in 2019 from cancer, and I saw what she was going through. She was in Pioneer Lodge (in Moose Jaw) and she got really good care,” said Jensen. “But I saw how this government was spending the money they were spending, and I thought there could be a lot of work done to make things better.”
Jensen shared some of the main issues on which the PC Party platform is focusing that he felt would be of interest to Moose Jaw, like the party's support of a Sask First work tender policy.
“I think the most important (issue) is to bring work back to Saskatchewan, by getting rid of the New West Trade Partnership Agreement,” said Jensen. “(That policy) took a lot of jobs away from Saskatchewan and made it almost impossible for Saskatchewan businesses to bid on jobs, so that needs to be scrapped.”
The party is also promising to implement more government accountability if elected, specifically in reference to spending and financial responsibility.
“I believe there is no (accountability), there hasn’t been any for a long time. The Saskatchewan Party has spent money on projects and on things that haven’t been lucrative and have cost the province a lot of money,” said Jensen. "The Conservative Party has worked hard to lose the party image they had back in the eighties, they're a completely different party now. They have a new look and a new direction and they are looking for somebody that is trustworthy, and honest and forefront, and will make sure that they are transparent."
On a more local level, Jensen is pledging to be a more accessible, more involved representative for Moose Jaw Wakamow. He said he will make it a priority to meet and listen to all constituents in his riding, to hear their concerns and present them to the House.
“I know for a lot of MLAs, that's a big issue. They don’t know their constituents and that’s something that’s bothered me,” said Jensen. “I want to hold open houses once a month where people can come in and bring their problems or issues (to me).”
Jensen said his many years working with SaskPower and heavy involvement with unions and the labour movement have given him the skills he needs to be an effective voice for Moose Jaw Wakamow.
“As far as raising issues, I don’t have a problem with that or with making sure my constituents are heard,” said Jensen. “I believe they need a strong voice and I will be that strong voice for the people of Moose Jaw Wakamow, and that’s something they can count on.”
More information on the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan’s campaign platform can be found on the party’s website.
The provincial election will be held on Oct. 26.
