Yens Pedersen, past NDP MLA, Regina Northeast

The average age of people who experience hospitalization is dropping, and about one in four people who need hospital care for COVID-19 and one out of six in ICU with COVID-19 have no preexisting medical conditions, said Hinshaw.

Most of the mail-in ballots have been counted, and it has now been confirmed that we were not successful this time in Regina Northeast. I just got off the phone with Gary Grewal to congratulate him as the new MLA for Regina Northeast. To my knowledge, Gary is the first Sikh MLA to be elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature. A few weeks ago we met on the street as we were each out campaigning. I was delighted to point out his wife's orange facemask, and not to be outdone, he ...noted my green and white car. Over the past month I saw Gary on numerous occasions out working hard for the win and I hope he will work hard for the residents of Regina Northeast. I would once again like to take this opportunity to thank all voters for engaging in discussions with me during my tenure in office, regardless of your political beliefs. A huge thanks to our campaign staff and all of our campaign volunteers. We hope we have made you proud and I will continue to work for ways to promote social justice in the world around us. #skvotes #NDP2020

My fellow candidates and canvassers and volunteers and MLAs, no conversation you ever have with someone is lost. Regardless of whether you won or whether the next election is years away. They don’t end up in the recycle bin. We all have moments we can remember. Specific conversations we had with someone that stick with us for a lifetime. Part of a speech given. A sermon delivered. Something your favourite teacher said. Something that changes what you say to others around you.... That influences your future thoughts, words, actions, and interactions with others. Transformative moments can last less than five minutes. That family that couldn't make ends meet. That family that just lost someone to a battle with mental health. That family that lost a primary income to someone out-of-province. That family that relied on the STC for a member to get to medical appointments. You listened to them. You connected. You made them feel heard when no one had visited their doorstep before. This progress is never lost. Conversations, or posts, or speeches, echo into the future. Keep talking. Stay strong. Now is not the time to end the conversation. #skvotes #NDP2020 #peoplefirst

My friends, the fight for social justice is not easy or popular. If it was, we’d be living in a utopia. The results last night were not what we’d hoped - but we don’t pour our hearts and energy into these campaigns for fame, money or the occasional pat on the back. We don’t do it because the people we fight for will appreciate it; we don’t do it because improving the environment will change our lives. We do it because we are working for change. Whether it’s fighting discrimi...nation; reducing poverty; or protecting the environment, we do it because it’s the right thing to do. We do it because we care about the world we leave for our children. We do it because we care about everyone in our community. We do it because there is a need. My point is this: nothing that happened last night changes that. All that last night did was to tweak the means and methods we have at our disposal. So let’s rest and learn from our mistakes, but do not give up because the need is still there and our cause is still just. This is tonight’s sunset as I was picking up our election signs. A reminder that the sun will rise again tomorrow.

I want to thank all the people who devoted so much of their time and energy over the past few weeks to the campaign. Thank you for your support and encouragement. Thank you to the voters of Regina Northeast that trusted me and the New Democrats with your vote. Unfortunately, while we will not know for sure until the mail in ballots are counted, it appears we were not successful. We may not have been won in Regina Northeast tonight, but I am so proud of the work that our team did. A heartfelt thanks for everyone who helped out. Your contribution made a difference.

Excited to see people tonight. I’d really appreciate you tuning in anytime between 8:45 and 9:15 before lots of the results come in and I have to leave. The Zoom link is 864 9294 3525