Here’s what Saskatchewan’s political parties spent during the 2024 election campaign

Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe speaks at a media event where he released the Saskatchewan Party’s election platform in Saskatoon, Sask. on Saturday, October 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards. Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck applauds during a rally organized by Saskatchewan Union of Nurses outside of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina, on Thursday, October 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Despite falling short of forming government – the provincial NDP edged out the Saskatchewan Party in terms spending during the 2024 election campaign.

According to returns submitted to Elections Saskatchewan, the NDP spent a total of $1,047,897.20 while Saskatchewan Party expenses totaled $1,029,720.62 – representing a slim margin of just $18,176.58.

The Saskatchewan NDP spent less on advertising, just over $387,000 compared to the Sask. Party, but far more on “services” – totaling $537,699.81.

Of those expenses, more than $175,000 went toward surveys and polling, several of which occurred around the time of the provincial leaders’ debate.

Other notable expenses included $47,000 for hotel rooms for central staff, $37,000 for call centre operations and $22,000 for “Its Time for Change” leaflets.

While not accounting for a large portion of the party’s budget, nearly $300 was spent after a rental campaign vehicle was vandalized. According to the disclosure, paper was stuffed into the gas tank filler spout and set alight. The funds were paid to the rental company to repair the vehicle.

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Additionally, more than $900 was spent to repair a party employee’s personal vehicle while it was being used by another employee during campaign travel.

Advertising accounted for the majority of Sask. Party expenses – with more than $454,000 spent over the course of the campaign.

According to the documents, approximately $184,000 was spent on digital ads for search engines such as Google and several social media platforms – while nearly $130,000 was spent on television ads.

Mailers and pamphlets accounted for $90,000 of the campaign budget – while $22,000 was spent on database maintenance.

Another notable expense for the campaign consisted of $123,000 paid to “Government Technologies Solutions Canada” of Ottawa, Ont. For the description of the service, the Sask. Party simply listed “texting.”

Another $376,000 was spent on “services” which ranged from graphic design to consulting. The remainder of the funds were distributed towards “goods supplied” ($125,745.75), travel and vehicles ($53,493.31), and renting properties for events ($18,885.23).

As for the other contenders, the Saskatchewan United Party logged $12,785.99 in expenses while the Buffalo Party recorded $4,009.10.

All of Sask. United’s expenses were listed as advertising – while the Buffalo Party spent $379 on lawns signs from an Estevan area business. The remainder of its expenses went toward an election expense audit, according to the return.

The Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Green Party and the Saskatchewan Progress Party logged no campaign expenses.