Sask. needs steady hand for 'choppy waters' ahead, premier says

premiere george c. Scott Moe has led the Saskatchewan company through and through 2 straight elections, winning majority governments each time.

But the latest party leadership review showed his approval has dropped since the last election.

In 2023, his support within the party was at 97 per cent. In November, the Saskatchewan Party said he had received "more than 80 per cent" support. The party insisted it could not reveal the full number this time, although it was happy to release the 2023 figure to media.

When asked why he remains committed to leading the party into an election that could come as late as 2028, Moe had a simple answer:

"I see all the opportunities in the distance, but some very choppy waters in the near-term time when this province needs a steady hand," he said during a year-end interview.

Moe said he believes now more than ever that he is the man best equipped to deliver on his government's commitment to making a "strong, safe, sustainable future."

He said the government has laid the foundation for a health-care system that can attract people to the province.

That includes the decision to use urgent care centres, the first of which has opened in Regina. More are planned for other cities.

The government's actions may not be visible to residents yet, but the benefits will emerge soon, Moe said.

"It's providing the foundation for what we're going to be able to achieve in the future as we start to look at how we deliver health-care services in a much more innovative way."

Moe insisted he did not pay attention to the result of the leadership review at the party's convention in November.

"I don't know what [the result] was because I didn't ask," he said.

He believes there is still work to be done to ensure that Saskatchewan is a province where the next generation is able to stay and work in the communities where they were raised rather than moving to Alberta, British Columbia or Ontario, Moe said.

"This is a special place in the world. It's the best place in the world. And I want it to be a viable choice for that next generation."

Moe said engaging with others is the path to making that happen.

He said the need to talk to as many people as possible became clear in the provincial election when the Sask. Party lost longtime MLAs and cabinet ministers and the NDP took all but one seat in Regina and Saskatoon.

A devastating wildfire in the summer remains a sore topic for the provincial government.

The NDP Opposition has seized on the issue by elevating the concerns of Denare Beach residents. The northern village lost 200 homes in June. Moe didn't visit the community until months later, in September.

Moe said that decision is among his biggest regrets of the year.

He had other things going on at the time and felt the community was well-represented by then-public safety minister Tim McLeod at the cabinet table, he said.

He later apologized in the legislature. He described his failure to visit sooner as a "personal lapse in judgement" during the year-end interview.

"I should have been there to look people in the eye and to listen, listen to the stories and to tell them that the government is not only here to support the community and the families today, but into the future," Moe said.

The 52-year-old made a surprising admission when asked about his favourite movie for this year's Christmas season.

The premier initially named Home Alone and Die Hard before pivoting to an unexpected reference:

"We have some kids running around the house every now and again and there's a new movie out. It's not really a Christmas movie, but I can sing all of their songs and it's called KPop Demon Hunters," Moe said.

He even referenced a song from the movie, Soda Pop by the Saja Boys.

Reporter

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