The New Democratic Party’s (NDP) candidate in the Estevan constituency isn’t from the riding, but that won’t stop her from being committed to the campaign.
The NDP has announced that Regina’s Tina Vuckovic would be their candidate, replacing Cameron Robock, who was removed by the party because Robock made comments on social media the party felt were inappropriate.
Vuckovic has taken a leave of absence from her employer, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, where she is a procurement specialist, enabling her to focus on the campaign.
She planned to be in the Estevan constituency for the first time on March 15.
“I plan on hitting the ground running, and hearing some of the concerns first hand and seeing what we can do for the folks out there,” Vuckovic told the Mercury.
Among the first events she expects to participate in is the candidates’ forum hosted by the Estevan Chamber of Commerce on March 17 at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall.
She doesn’t have any legitimate connections to the Estevan area, other than some co-workers from the riding. But she doesn’t expect her status as a parachute candidate to be a hindrance.
The late start will be a challenge, but it’s one she expects to overcome.
“I would like to believe that I will have the opportunity to knock on every door in the constituency,” said Vuckovic. “I don’t know if that’s completely realistic at this point, but I’m willing to give it a shot.”
Vuckovic said she has always had a passion for politics, and she has been active in the labour movement for the past 15 years.
“I have thought for a few years now that I wanted to be on the ballot for this coming provincial election, but it just turned out that when everybody was doing all the nominations, the timing just wasn’t right,” said Vuckovic.
When the Estevan nomination came open, she realized now would be the right time to run.
Vuckovic wants to see the next government make lives easier for families.
“We need to focus on the biggest areas of concern in our province, such as the health-care system with wait times, the education system, while looking for fairness and affordability for families,” said Vuckovic.
Labour will also be a key issue for her during the campaign. It will always be important to her, because she wants to see jobs in the province, and good wages so people can make ends meet after working 40 hours in a week.
“That’s what really makes us the province we once were, and we can be, is by having those workers here, and by keeping that money here in the province,” said Vuckovic.
Saskatchewan residents go to the polls on April 4.
