Kevin Fallis with NDP leader Carla Beck. (Photo courtesy Saskatchewan NDP)

By Cam Lee

NDP candidate

New NDP candidate for Humboldt-Watrous sets sights on SaskParty record

Aug 23, 2024 | 5:00 PM

A man with a long career in the health care industry is hoping to turn the Humboldt-Watrous constituency orange in the upcoming provincial election.

Kevin Fallis told northeastNOW he has supported the NDP since he was young. Fallis’ family rushed his sister from Churchbridge to hospital in Yorkton after a severe asthma attack. At the time there was a $10 user fee at the hospital, and as his mother let go of his sister, his sibling crashed to the floor, and she almost died. He said the experience led him to help put leaflets in mailboxes for the local NDP candidate, and he subsequently ended up with a long career in healthcare.

Fallis, who has been married for 36 years and has two daughters and five grandchildren, said there is one big question that has been asked in the leadup to the election.

“Am I better off after 17 years of the SaskParty? The answer I have is no, and the answer I’m hearing (from others) is no,” said Fallis. “Working families are struggling to pay bills, our hospitals and schools are in chaos. It’s time for a change.”

Fallis lives in the constituency just outside of Saskatoon and has spent his last 35 years in the healthcare field, in long-term care, addiction services and mental health, and in his current position in a dialysis clinic in Saskatoon. He said healthcare is in shambles.

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“We used to have the best hospitals in Canada, and now we’re in last. We need to get Saskatchewan out of last place when it comes to our healthcare,” said Fallis. “Listening to people on the front lines (in healthcare) is a good start.” Fallis said that’s why the NDP is looking at starting a task force for healthcare workers. The retention of health care workers is also a significant problem in the province, according to Fallis.

Fallis also brought up education funding as a major concern for him and his party, and both believe the lack of funding is affecting education province-wide.

“Parents and teachers, they don’t trust the SaskParty government because of their broken promises from 2016 and 2020,” said Fallis. “We need to make education a priority again, and work with teachers to rebuild the trust to ensure our kids are being supported as they deserve.”

Fallis will continue to campaign until election day, canvassing the constituency, door-knocking and meeting residents. He said he’s been very well-received during his campaign so far.

The provincial election is Oct. 28.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK