2 weeks down, 2 to go in Sask. election

The Saskatchewan election campaign has reached its halfway mark.

Following a quiet holiday weekend, the Sask. Party and the NDP have resumed campaigning. NDP Leader Carla Beck is scheduled to speak in Regina on Tuesday, while Sask. Party leader Scott Moe is focusing his efforts on social media, posting a video on X (formerly Twitter) earlier in the day.

In the video, Moe promised that a re-elected Sask. Party would continue the carbon tax exemption on residential natural gas heating bills through the end of 2025. "This exemption saved the average household about $400 in 2024, and it will save the same household $480 next year," Moe said. He added that the exemption for electrical home heating would remain in effect until April 30, 2025.

The Sask. Party also issued a news release on Tuesday targeting Phil Smith, the NDP candidate for Estevan-Big Muddy. The release criticized Smith for lyrics described as "misogynistic, pro-drugs and pro-crime," which he performed as part of bands and as a solo artist.

One of the lyrics, from the eight-year-old track Fred Durst on SoundCloud, includes the line: "Made for cocaine bumping, that's right dog, Phil the type to hit upper sized rocks for the guaranteed plus sized broads."

CBC News reviewed some of the lyrics flagged by the Sask. Party, which they claim glorify drugs, crime, and prison, but it remains unclear if Smith wrote or performed all the material. Many of the songs date back nearly a decade. CBC has reached out to Smith, whose candidate bio states he works in food service, and to the Saskatchewan NDP for comment.

Meanwhile, the NDP is focusing on health care and education at campaign events across the province. Beck will appear in Regina on Tuesday, with other candidates speaking in Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, and North Battleford.

Both Moe and Beck are scheduled to participate in a live debate in Regina on Wednesday night.