Source: Jennifer Quesnel, CBC News, March 23, 2016
Jason Dearborn says ‘absenteeism,’ GTH controversy, has Sask. Party supporters urging him to run
Kindersley, Sask. is likely one of the Saskatchewan Party’s biggest strongholds and independent candidate Jason Dearborn hopes to unseat Bill Boyd, his former farm business partner there.
Dearborn called himself the logical choice for people who like the Saskatchewan Party and Brad Wall, but who have questions about Boyd’s conduct.
Dearborn said the voters he has met tell him they’re not seeing enough of Boyd, nor do they like what they see reported in the media.
‘Anger’ about Boyd’s behaviour: Dearborn
“There was a palatable anger about the behaviour of the member,” said Dearborn, who said past supporters and neighbours urged him to run. “Mr. Boyd’s involvement with possible business associates on the Global Transportation Hub land deal really sealed it.”
Boyd has previously told CBC he believes the Global Transportation Hub did not overpay for land, in a controversial land deal west of Regina. Premier Brad Wall said he’s confident all appropriate processes were followed. Wall has referred the matter to the provincial auditor to ensure “public confidence that everything was done correctly.”
The auditor’s report has not yet been released.
Boyd has also filed a defamation suit against CBC Saskatchewan’s iTeam for reporting on the matter.
Executive Air ‘disconnect’
Dearborn said he’s had “tremendous support” to date, saying the voters he’s spoken with don’t feel Boyd is responsive to their concerns.
“The utilization of the government jet, for approximately $400,000 dollars of taxpayers’ money, when the community of Kindersley has to raise $100,000 dollars to put a face on the hospital, that’s not cool,” said Dearborn. “They think there’s a disconnect in what the priorities should be.”
“We’re going to work hard to make sure we do well. You never take anything for granted in this business.”– Sask. Party candidate Bill Boyd
Officials have said Boyd’s flight expenses totaled closer to $200,000 but have not provided documentation.
“There’s a number of constituents saying, ‘We like the premier, we like the Sask. Party, but we can’t in good conscience vote for Mr. Boyd because the things he’s been involved with do not speak to our values,” Dearborn said.
Boyd splitting time between Kindersley, Regina
Since the election began, a number of people have expressed concern over not seeing Bill Boyd in his home constituency. On Twitter, an account labeled “Hawaii Bill Boyd” has been spoofing the incumbent’s whereabouts.
Boyd met CBC’s camera crew on Tuesday at his campaign office in Kindersley, with several supporters. He said he’s doing a mail out and has “other ways” of canvassing voters.
“I would say nothing is really much different in terms of other years,” said Boyd, who is co-chairing the Saskatchewan Party’s provincial campaign. “I’m splitting my time between here and Regina so that makes it a bit more challenging to say the least.”
Boyd said he welcomed Dearborn’s candidacy, although he calls it an “uphill climb” for any independent candidate to run.
“We’re going to work hard to make sure we do well,” said Boyd, who won 80 per cent of the popular vote in 2011. “You never take anything for granted in this business.”
“There’s a number of constituents saying, ‘We like the premier, we like the Sask. Party, but we can’t in good conscience vote for Mr. Boyd.'”
– Independent candidate Jason Dearborn
Voters endorse Sask. Party
“I don’t even know who my person is I’m supposed to vote for,” laughed Jeannie Shaver, a Kindersley resident who said she’ll likely vote for the Saskatchewan Party.
Numerous people throughout Kindersley’s business district told CBC they’ll be supporting the Saskatchewan Party. However, it appeared this election has taken a back-burner to concerns about the economy in this oil-rich area. On Tuesday, for-sale signs outnumbered political signs on front lawns.
Several people told CBC they were satisfied with Boyd’s performance. Many said they’ll be watching how well his party handles the downturn in the oilpatch.
“We love Brad Wall. We all do,” said Chris Douglas, who runs an oilfield trucking service near Kindersley. “Bill Boyd at this point is a question.”