Elections are certainly a much better option than the alternative, but they can be a huge inconvenience when it comes to the running of government.
This is not to make light of the democratic duty voting-age adults in this province need to partake in come April 4.
Nor is to make light of those who are willing to take an active role in this democratic process.
We are well aware that we are in the leadup to the spring vote.
Both the Saskatchewan Party and the NDP are now running television advertisements that require big dollars. In turn, that requires donations from party supporters.
Both parties are close to a full slate of candidates, as are the Green Party.
Even the old Progressive Conservative and Liberals also seem intent on making a showing in this election campaign. This will provide voters with ample choice on their ballots.
All this requires big-time commitments from not only those running (many of whom have no realistic hope of winning) but also those who support them.
But democracy is always about such commitments to voters having a choice — notwithstanding the high likelihood that Premier Brad Wall’s Sask. Party appears to be headed to a third-term majority.
It is this process of choosing who governs us that is the lifeblood of a civil society.
That said, it is a process that can and does distract from dealing with pressing issues at hand.
Right now, that means dealing with a failing Saskatchewan economy and the need for a spring budget … or some other vehicle to address the problems.
And at least until the voters select someone else to deal with matters — again, an unlikelihood, if you believe the polls — it is incumbent on Wall and his Sask. Party government to deal with such pressing issues before going to the voters.
It may be strictly a matter of circumstances that we now have a spring election campaign conflicting with what is normally a March budget presentation.
If the Premier had his druthers, the campaign would have been last November. (That was Wall’s first choice for a set election date, until Stephen Harper’s decision for a 72-day campaign that ended in October.)
And it just so happened that a fall vote would have been the better, politically speaking, for Wall. Last fall, we weren’t quite so deep in the decline of oil prices now below $30 US a barrel.
Some may even argue that it is unfair that Wall should be forced to go to the polls at such an inopportune time. (However, it’s doubtful that they has such concerns the last time Wall went to polls when oil was closer to $100 US a barrel.)
But the simple truth of matter is that Saskatchewan taxpayers need and are owed a plan to address the budget issues.
We are already seeing the Alberta government unveil its initiatives, including a major wage freeze for non-union public servants.
Wall must tell us of his plans, as well.
We are already dealing with a budget that is in a deficit situation, a rising public debt and the reality that the last budget borrowed $700 million from the open market for major capital works initiatives.
We should be updated and the government should tell us about whatever adjustments it intends.
For Wall not to do anything — even if it just a minor correction plan — is not only a disservice to voters, but also to himself.
After all, he will just have to turn around and address the issue after the election, anyway.
Similarly, other political parties seeking office should be required to address the issue during the campaign.
But right now it is Wall who needs to deal with the realities in advance of the vote.
He is the one still running government.
Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics for over 22 years.
