Sask. Party declines invites to labour-sponsored debates

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour is set to hold the last in a series of election debates on Crown corporations and the delivery of government services tonight in Saskatoon, and as with the SFL's previous debate events the Saskatchewan Party has declined an invitation to attend.

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Ahead of Saskatchewan's election onApril 4, the SFL organized a number of debates on the topic of public services and the status of Crown corporations in Saskatchewan.

The final debate is set for 7 p.m. CST, tonight, at Le Relais Hall at 103-308 Fourth Avenue.

"We get a sense there's an interest in keeping our Crown corporations and public services," Kent Peterson, an advisor to the SFL, said. "We wanted [to provide] the opportunity for voters to ask questions."

The SFL, an umbrella group for the union movement in Saskatchewan, is also connected to Own It!, a coalition of public service organizations and community groups that are advocating their point of view when it comes to the provision of public services in the province. Peterson said one of the goals of the Own It! coalition is to ensure Crown corporations remain in public hands.

"Crown corporations and public services, in addition to providing good services and good return on investments ... provide good, family-supporting jobs," Peterson said.

So far, according to Peterson, the Saskatchewan Party has not sent a representative to any of the SFL's debates on the issue. Previous events were in Moose Jaw, Regina and Prince Albert.

In a statement to CBC, campaign officials for the Saskatchewan Party said candidates weren't attending the debates because the party's leader, Brad Wall, has already outlined their position on Crown corporations and public services.

"Our position has not changed with the exception of converting under-performing liquor stores which we have laid out for Saskatchewan people to decide," the statement said.

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"Every election, this group and the NDP try to say the Saskatchewan Party will sell Saskatchewan Crowns and that is patently false," the statement added. "Our candidates will be instead be focused on meeting constituents at the doorstep as they work to earn their seats."

It's expected that Monday night's debate in Saskatoon will include candidates from the NDP, the Liberals and the Green party.

Those parties participated in the debate in Regina.

At the debates in Moose Jaw and Prince Albertonly Liberal and NDP candidates showed up.