We will get a clearer picture of which candidates will be running in the Moose Jaw – Lake Centre – Lanigan riding after this weekend. 

The NDP held their nomination meeting on Thursday night, where Talon Regent and Erin Hidlebaugh officially put their names forward for the nomination. 

In his nomination speech, Regent recalled a couple of stories as to why he is a dedicated candidate. 

His first story was about a young man he met that has been in and out of the mental health ward at the hospital and was able to cope when he was on his medication.  

After leaving the hospital, the man could not afford his medication and ended up committing suicide. 

Regent said this is one of the reasons why Canada needs universal Pharmacare. 

“Let's set aside the fact that universal Pharmacare is a wiser economic choice than our current hodgepodge of insurance and personal payments,” Regent said. “Let's set that aside for a second and ask, do we as Canadians believe that it's okay for people to die simply because they're poor and unlucky?” 

In her nomination speech, Hidlebaugh once again outlined her credentials and priorities if she won the nomination. 

“The values I have are the values all New Democrats have: work hard, love hard and take care of each other. Healthcare is my number one priority that includes physical and mental healthcare, dental, vision, and Pharmacare,” she said. 

Voting for the NDP nominee opened after the meeting and closes at 7 p.m. Friday. 

Meanwhile, the Conservative Party of Canada will be voting for its nominee this weekend to replace outgoing MP Tom Lukiwski. 

The nomination will be a race between Kathryn Pollack, Fraser Tolmie and Brad Trost. Results should be known by Sunday evening.