Hours after Saskatchewan Party leader Scott Moe was in Moose Jaw, NDP leader Ryan Meili was in the Notorious City to make some campaign promises of his own.

Outside of Empire Community School, Meili outlined a plan to hire 1,000 more teachers in the province as well as 750 more educational assistants and 400 custodial staff.

Meili said making cuts to the education system during the COVID-19 pandemic is dangerous.

Retired teacher Alan Stange talks about his concerns about classroom sizes. (Photo by Shawn Slaght)"We all remember the $54 million cut out of our classrooms in 2017. Hundreds of dollars less for students, making the lives of teachers, parents, and the kids they support much more difficult," he said.

Meili pointed out that many classrooms are well over the 15 person limit.

"We've got classrooms here in Moose Jaw of 30 kids, 35, 40 and there has been no change to class sizes, none of the investments necessary to keep kids safe or give them the support they need to succeed."

Meili was joined by Moose Jaw North candidate Kyle Lichtenwald and Moose Jaw Wakamow candidate Melissa Patterson as well as retired teacher Alan Stange.

Stange has been a teacher in Moose Jaw for nearly 40 years.

"I would like to be subbing and I'm not at the moment because I quite concerned about conditions in our classrooms," he said.