Although the provincial election is more than a year away, Tim McLeod has already been pounding the streets of Moose Jaw introducing himself to residents.
McLeod, the Sask. Party candidate for the constituency of Moose Jaw North, was nominated in the spring to replace outgoing MLA Warren Michelson in the 2020 provincial election. Since then, McLeod has been out in the community meeting people and making his face known.
“(I’m) pleased with the response so far,” he said recently.
McLeod and members of the constituency committee conducted a door-knocking campaign in July, where they went around to almost 500 houses and handed out flyers with information about him.
When McLeod knocked on doors, he introduced himself and explained he was the candidate for the Sask. Party for their riding in the upcoming election. He also wanted to know if they were aware he was the candidate and if they had any questions.
“I door-knocked with my wife and children, so it was nice for people to see my whole clan,” he said, “and certainly get a sense of who I am and what’s most important to me, which is my family.”
Few people raised any specific issues with him since most people seemed to be happy with how the province was being managed, McLeod continued. While that was encouraging, he is also open to hearing criticisms since he believes that is an important part of being an elected official.
McLeod never had a great desire to get into politics originally, he explained, but when he and his family moved to Moose Jaw a decade ago, he became a member of the Moose Jaw North board of directors. As he watched the political scene unfold across Saskatchewan and saw the positive things that former premier Brad Wall and current Premier Scott Moe were doing, he was encouraged.
“My professional career is as an advocate,” McLeod continued. “I advocate for other people’s interests, that’s what I’m about. So I see politics as a natural progression … . It’s a natural fit for someone with my background.”
Serving on the Moose Jaw North board has allowed McLeod to see just how tireless of a representative Michelson has been for his constituency. McLeod noted Michelson has been a great guy with whom to work, along with the many dedicated board members.
“I don’t think there’s many people who work harder than Warren in terms of being accessible to constituents,” continued McLeod, noting this is an important lesson for anyone who wants to get into politics: MLAs have to be able to represent their constituents’ interests in the legislature in Regina.
While the election is still more than a year away, McLeod noted he is not going into it with any specific issues in mind. Instead, he would advocate for whatever issues his constituents bring to him if he is elected.
Since the start of August, McLeod and the committee have been working hard in preparation for a prime rib dinner with Premier Scott Moe on Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Exhibition Convention Centre. The supper begins with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. and is followed by supper at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $150 per person or $75 for full-time students and youths under 14. More information can be found at www.saskparty.com/mjnorth_primerib.
“We’re really excited for it,” McLeod added.
