@
Mike Topola on Facebook MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE by cutting $0.15 a litre on every gas fill and the pst from food and children's clothes
FIX HEALTHCARE - shorter wait times, rural access and more staff
INVEST IN EDUCATION - increasing our per-student funding
PUT SK WORKERS AND COMPANIES FIRST
This is a page from the 2024 Saskatchewan general election.
Mike Topola
NDP candidate for Wood River
Affordability
Childcare
NDP's promise
Speed up work to provide $10/day childcare in every community
"And to further ease costs for young families, the Saskatche- wan NDP will accelerate $10-a-day childcare in every com- munity. There are billions of dollars in federal funding avail- able to make affordable childcare a reality, but the Sask. Party has stalled this program and failed to deliver on thousands of promised childcare spaces. Affordable childcare is good for families and good for the economy." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Food and groceries
NDP's promises
Remove PST on groceries
"But we’re not stopping there. We’ll cut the PST Scott Moe put on groceries, saving Saskatchewan people $150 million on their grocery bills over the course of our first term in government." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Provide a school lunch programme in every public and separate school
"We will further help lower food costs for families with a school nutrition program. We know kids learn better on a full stomach — our program will be available to every public and separate school in the province, providing them with a nutritious breakfast or lunch each and every school day." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Poverty and the minimum wage
NDP's promises
Reverse changes to the Income Support programme and restore the direct payment of rent and utilities
Consult with stakeholders on a plan to increase the minimum wage
"Ensure workers are safe and treated fairly, and consult with stakeholders on a plan to increase the minimum wage so that Saskatchewan’s will no longer be the lowest in the country." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Tax measures and rebates
NDP's promises
Suspend the gas tax for six months
"We will immediately suspend the gas tax on Day 1 of govern- ment and keep it off for six months. This will save you money every time you fill up your tank." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Remove PST on children's clothing before Christmas
"Remove the PST from children’s clothing to save families money in time for Christmas." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Remove PST on groceries
"But we’re not stopping there. We’ll cut the PST Scott Moe put on groceries, saving Saskatchewan people $150 million on their grocery bills over the course of our first term in government." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Climate Change & the Environment
Climate adaptation
NDP's promise
Develop a comprehensive wildfire strategy
"Better prevent wildfires and protect communities through development of a comprehensive wildfire strategy in collaboration with Northern partners." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Conservation
NDP's promises
Develop a comprehensive wetlands conservation policy
Invest in protecting biodiversity, wetlands, and native prairie grasslands
"Work with conservation groups to invest in protecting biodiversity, wetlands and native prairie grasslands." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Green construction and retrofits
NDP's promise
Invest in rapidly building out renewable power and energy efficiency retrofits
"Invest dollars through climate initiatives into rapidly building out renewable power, energy efficiency retrofits, and lower energy costs for families." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Power generation
NDP's promise
Invest in rapidly building out renewable power and energy efficiency retrofits
"Invest dollars through climate initiatives into rapidly building out renewable power, energy efficiency retrofits, and lower energy costs for families." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
NDP's promise
Develop a carbon offset programme for ranchers to protect grasslands and wetlands with federal government support
"Recognize the role ranchers play in protecting grasslands and wetlands by developing a carbon offset program and ensuring the federal government supports it." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Education
K-12 funding
NDP's promises
Invest an additional $2B in education in the first term
Ensure First Nations and Métis people have access to education in Northern Saskatchewan
"Work with partners to ensure First Nations and Métis people have access to education in Northern Saskatchewan." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Increase funding for English as an Additional Language supports in schools
"Increase funding for English as an Additional Language supports in schools to help the children of newcomers succeed." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
K-12 learning needs
NDP's promise
Increase funding to support students with learning disabilities
K-12 staffing
NDP's promises
Reverse cuts to classrooms
Hire hundreds more teachers and education workers
"Reverse Scott Moe’s cuts to classrooms and hire more teachers and education workers to ensure every child has the attention and support they need." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
"Carla Beck and the Saskatchewan NDP will transform our education system by investing an additional $2 billion in education over our first term. Our commitment to educa- tion will lead to the hiring of hundreds of new teachers, educational assistants and other school support staff." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
School construction and upgrades
NDP's promises
Build a new elementary school in Moose Jaw to replace St. Michael School
"A new elementary school in Moose Jaw to replace St. Michael School, construction to begin in 2025" — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Build a new high school in Buffalo Narrows
"A new high school in Buffalo Narrows, construction to begin in 2026" — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Build a new school in Sandy Bay
"A new school in Sandy Bay, construction to begin in 2028" — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Build a new high school in Emerald Park/White City
"A new high school in Emerald Park/White City, construction to begin in 2025" — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Build the new southeast joint-use elementary school and east side Saskatoon high school faster
- "Faster construction of a new southeast Regina joint-use elementary school, to begin in 2025,
- Faster construction of a new high school for the east side of Saskatoon, to start in 2026."
— It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
School nutrition
NDP's promise
Provide a school lunch programme in every public and separate school
"We will further help lower food costs for families with a school nutrition program. We know kids learn better on a full stomach — our program will be available to every public and separate school in the province, providing them with a nutritious breakfast or lunch each and every school day." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Trades
NDP's promise
Increase funding for short-term training programmes for in-demand sectors
"Increase funding for short-term training programs to get more Saskatchewan people working quickly in in-demand sectors." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Healthcare
Emergency wait-times
NDP's promises
Increase staffing to keep emergency rooms open
Update the Ambulance Act to reduce the time paramedics spend in waiting rooms
"Help paramedics to get out of waiting rooms and back on the road through modernizing the Ambulance Act." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Create a public, online dashboard to track unplanned emergency room closures
"Share information with Saskatchewan people when there are unplanned emergency room closures by launching an online dashboard." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Reopen the emergency room in Saskatoon City Hospital 24/7
"Relieve pressure on Saskatoon emergency rooms, reduce wait times and improve healthcare by reopening the emergency room in Saskatoon City Hospital 24/7." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Family doctors and primary care
NDP's promise
Create an online list of family doctors accepting new patients
"Establish an online list of family doctors accepting new patients and improve access to primary care and nurse practitioners." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Health administration
NDP's promise
Invest in Community Health Advisory networks so local communities are involved in healthcare decision-making
"Invest in Community Health Advisory Networks so local communities will be heard in healthcare decision-making." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Health staffing
NDP's promises
Hire more doctors, nurses, paramedics, and healthcare professionals
"Hire more doctors, nurses, paramedics and healthcare professionals to work on the front lines and at the bedside." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Create more permanent, full-time healthcare positions, and phase out contract positions
"Create more permanent full-time healthcare positions to ensure frontline workers can stay in their communities and phase out Scott Moe’s costly contract positions." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
"Retain the healthcare workers already on the frontlines by treating them with respect and ensuring they have the tools they need to do their jobs." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
End "the culture of fear and reprisals" in Saskatchewan healthcare
"Respect healthcare workers and ensure they are valued by bringing in a different approach than the Sask. Party and ending the culture of fear and reprisals." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Train more healthcare workers in Saskatchewan, with a focus on hard-to-recruit positions
"Bring in a Grow Your Own Strategy to train more healthcare workers here in Saskatchewan to work in Saskatchewan – with a focus on hard-to-recruit positions." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Create a Health Human Resources Roundtable
"Create a Health Human Resources Roundtable to bring together all key players to assess the current workforce and plan for the future." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Launch a nursing taskforce
"Launch the nursing taskforce that the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses has been calling for for more than two years." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Long-term care
NDP's promises
Reduce long-term care wait times
Restore and expand supports and services to keep seniors in their homes longer
"Reduce long-term care wait times and restore and expand supports and services to keep seniors in their homes longer, including those living with disabilities and other physical impairments." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Mental health
NDP's promises
Increase access to counselling
"Increase access to mental health supports, addictions support, including counselling, prevention and early intervention services." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Enrol more people in the Rapid Access Counselling programme
Prescription drugs and pharmacare
NDP's promise
Sign onto the federal government's plan to cover insulin and contraceptives
"Reduce prescription costs by signing on to the federal government’s plan to cover insulin and contraceptives." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Procedures and diagnostics
NDP's promises
Invest in diagnostic equipment in the public system
"Provide people with timely access to life-saving tests and scans by investing in diagnostic equipment in the public system, including MRIs, mammograms, and CT scans." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Reopen the Moose Jaw Hyperbaric Chamber
"Help firefighters, burn victims and cancer patients get treatment by reopening the Moose Jaw Hyperbaric Chamber." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Hire more staff and increase the hours of operation for surgeries
"Increase the number of surgeries in the public system by hiring more staff and increasing the hours of operation." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Seniors
NDP's promises
Establish an independent Seniors' Advocate
Enact a Seniors' Bill of Rights
Restore and expand supports and services to keep seniors in their homes longer
"Reduce long-term care wait times and restore and expand supports and services to keep seniors in their homes longer, including those living with disabilities and other physical impairments." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Sexual and reproductive health
NDP's promise
Fund one round of IVF
"Fund one round of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment for families looking to grow." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Housing & Homelessness
Public housing
NDP's promise
Make very vacant government-owned housing unit available for families within four years
Rental housing
NDP's promises
Limit how often and by how much landlords can increase rents
"Pass a Landlord and Tenant Rent Protection Act to protect renters, help them keep a roof over their heads and limit how often and how much rents can increase." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Reverse changes to the Income Support programme and restore the direct payment of rent and utilities
Jobs, Businesses, & Labour
Agriculture
NDP's promises
Investigate and crack down on illegal foreign ownership of farmland
Improve livestock business risk management programmes
"Work to improve livestock business risk management programs to ensure fairness, protection, and flexibility for producers." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Support developing a larger local meat processing industry
Create a farmland registry
"Investigate and crack down on illegal foreign ownership of farmland and increase transparency by establishing a registry." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Economic growth
NDP's promises
Prioritise Saskatchewan workers and companies to build and maintain public infrastructure projects
"Implement a Hire Saskatchewan plan and prioritize Saskatchewan workers and companies to build and maintain public infrastructure projects." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Set up a roundtable with employers and workers to address labour force challenges
"Establish a business roundtable with employers and workers across all sectors to address labour force challenges and build a strong and diversified economy." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Provide a PST rebate on construction costs for facilities that process provincial resources inside the province
"Introduce a new Saskatchewan Economic Growth Incentive Program that will improve on the existing tax incentives and provide a PST rebate on construction costs for facilities that process our resources at home, creating good jobs." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Internet and cell service
NDP's promise
Expand internet access and cell service and develop a Broadband Infrastructure Strategy
"Expand access to the internet and develop a Broadband Infrastructure Strategy as recommended by the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities and Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Poverty and the minimum wage
NDP's promises
Reverse changes to the Income Support programme and restore the direct payment of rent and utilities
Consult with stakeholders on a plan to increase the minimum wage
"Ensure workers are safe and treated fairly, and consult with stakeholders on a plan to increase the minimum wage so that Saskatchewan’s will no longer be the lowest in the country." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Startups and small businesses
NDP's promises
Freeze the small business tax at 1%
Provide PST rebates on major retrofits and renovations of small businesses and downtown offices
"Revitalize and improve safety in the downtowns and Main Streets of our cities and towns across the province with PST rebates on major retrofits and renovations to help small businesses and offices keep their doors open in the designated core areas of our communities." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Trades
NDP's promise
Increase funding for short-term training programmes for in-demand sectors
"Increase funding for short-term training programs to get more Saskatchewan people working quickly in in-demand sectors." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Society & Government
Budgets
NDP's promise
Reach a budget surplus in four years
"Saskatchewan does not have a revenue problem. Saskatchewan has a money management program. The Saskatchewan NDP fiscal plan has a cumulative cost of $3.65 billion in spending over the next four years. The added spending is within the anticipated growth in revenues and will result in a surplus budget in the fourth year of the term." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Ethical government
NDP's promises
Strengthen legislation on lobbying, MLA conflict of interest, and freedom of information
"Strengthen legislation on lobbying, MLA conflict of interest, and freedom of information to increase transparency." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Create a commission to review projects like the Sunrise Motel, the AIMS system, the Global Transportation Hub, and the Regina Bypass
"Investigate Sask. Party corruption and mismanagement with an accountability commission to review projects like the Sunrise Motel, the AIMS system, the Global Transportation Hub, and the Regina Bypass." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Ban corporate, union, and out-of-province political donations
"Get big money out of politics by banning corporate, union, and out-of-province donations." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Immigration
NDP's promises
Restore the family class within the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
Increase funding for English as an Additional Language supports in schools
"Increase funding for English as an Additional Language supports in schools to help the children of newcomers succeed." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Speed up approval of credentials for those trained abroad
Indigenous reconciliation
NDP's promises
Implement the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report that are in provincial jurisdiction
"Work with First Nations and Métis leaders towards implementing the Calls to Action and Calls to Justice in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women final reports that are within Saskatchewan’s jurisdiction." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Restore a physical government presence in Northern Saskatchewan
"Ensure Northern Saskatchewan residents are full partners in building and growing our province, and restore a physical presence for government in the North so that their voices can be heard." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Work on a recruitment and retention plan with targeted measures to get more Indigenous people working in healthcare
"Work with First Nations and Métis communities and leaders on a recruitment and retention plan with targeted measures and indicators to get more Indigenous people working in healthcare – especially in Northern Saskatchewan." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Enshrine the Duty to Consult into law
Apologise for the provincial government's role in the Timber Lake and Île-à-la-Crosse residential schools, and provide meaningful supports
"Apologize for the provincial government’s role in the Timber Bay and Île-à-la-Crosse residential schools and work with the remaining survivors to provide meaningful supports." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Honour Treaty and Inherent rights of all First Nations and Métis people
"Honour the Treaty and Inherent rights of all First Nations and Métis people in Saskatchewan." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Indigenous women, girls, and 2-spirited people
NDP's promise
Implement the Calls to Justice in the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls's final report in provincial jurisdiction
"Work with First Nations and Métis leaders towards implementing the Calls to Action and Calls to Justice in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women final reports that are within Saskatchewan’s jurisdiction." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
People with disabilities
NDP's promise
Fulfill governmental responsibilities under the Accessibility Act
"We will fulfill the provincial government’s responsibilities to adhere to the Accessibility Act and support people in Saskatchewan’s disability community." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Public safety
NDP's promises
Hire more than 200 additional officers
"We will work with police services to hire more than 200 additional officers." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Increase funding to police forces and addictions services over four years
"Increase funding to established Saskatchewan police forces and mental health and addictions services over four years." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Cancel development of a Marshals Service and redirect funding to frontline policing
"Scrap the Sask. Party’s Marshals Service — which doesn’t put boots on the ground until 2026 — and redirect those dollars to frontline policing." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Create an Unexplained Wealth Taskforce to target organised crime and drug traffickers
"Crack down on organized crime and drug traffickers with an Unexplained Wealth Taskforce." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Address root causes of crime
"Address the root causes of crime – like poverty and homelessness, mental health and addictions, lack of economic opportunity, trauma, social connection – to increase well-being and safety in Saskatchewan communities." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Offer a rebate programme for security equipment for homes, small businesses, and places of worship
"Bolster physical security for homes, places of worship and small businesses by offering a rebate program for security equipment, such as cameras and lights." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Create a Missing Persons office to provide information and support to families of missing persons
"Establish a Missing Persons office to provide information and support to families whose loved ones are missing." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Develop an intimate partner violence action plan
"Develop an intimate partner violence action plan, working with those on the front lines." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Sports and recreation
NDP's promise
Create a grant programme that groups can apply to for funding community rinks, halls and other facilities
"Revitalize Saskatchewan communities with a grant program that groups can apply to for funding for community rinks, halls, and other facilities." — It’s Time for Change, retrieved 2024-10-20
Biography
submitted by the candidate or their team
Mike is an Advance Care Paramedic currently working at Assiniboia Union Hospital in the ER. He has roots in the farming community, coming from a family with strong ties to the agricultural industry. Born and raised in Assiniboia, Mike coaches HS football and basketball.
Mike has seen first-hand the issues facing healthcare delivery in Saskatchewan and is committed to improving access to care and fighting for better rural services across the province.
Born and raised in Assiniboia. Mike is an avid volunteer who has coached high school football and basketball at Assiniboia Composite High School for the last nine years. His experience and insight into the issues facing rural Saskatchewan would make him a strong voice for the people of Wood River.
Reason for running
submitted to 's elections office by the candidate
As a paramedic, I was called to keep the ER open - a bandaid fix. Bandaids should not last over 3 years. When I was a kid, school sports were free, and schools were funded. Now kids pay to play, and we're last in education.
In May of 2022, our community faced a healthcare crisis. The Assiniboia Union Hospital’s emergency room was closed and on the verge of extensive closure due to staff shortages. As an Advanced Care Paramedic, I was called in through my private employer, and we were able to keep the ER open. Since then, only a handful of nights have seen the doors closed. I’m proud of that, but the reality is, this should never have been necessary. In Saskatchewan, we have seen over 4000 days of closures during the last 2.5 years. To hide them bandaids such as myself have been applied. Often paying agencies to use their nurses at three times an SHA wage to work for a short time to keep our hospitals open. This is a waste of tax payer money and a drain upon the staff of our hospitals. It is not sustainable. This is a management problem.
That’s why I am so exited about being a part of Carla Becks team who is investing in Health Care as ALL NDP governments have in the past —so we can hire more full-time nurses, doctors, and support staff. Our hospitals and emergency rooms need permanent staffing solutions, and with this investment, we’ll ensure that critical healthcare services are available to every family, every night.
After becoming a paramedic and returning to the community, I became a volunteer basketball and football coach at the local high school. I noticed a stark difference from when I was a kid. Back then, we didn’t have much, but one thing was certain: school sports were free. Today, we’re asking kids to pay for participation and travel—costs that many families struggle to afford. In a public education system, this simply isn’t right. Education, including extracurricular activities like sports, should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it.
Our children deserve the best possible start in life. Education is the foundation of our future, we must invest in it so that every child in our Saskatchewan has access to world-class learning opportunities. This investment will ensure smaller class sizes, better resources, and more support for students and teachers alike.
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