Local provincial candidates have lively exchange of ideas at chamber forum

Candidates who took part answered a number of submitted questions from chamber members and also addressed some Saskatchewan Chamber Provincial Election Policy Pillars.

One question that received strong feedback was whether candidates if elected would freeze municipal revenue sharing amounts at 2020-21 levels for the next three years, to ensure municipal services continue at the same level while municipalities deal with the ongoing financial impact of COVID-19.

Zamonsky said he would not be in a position to consider freezing the amounts. His concern was that a freeze may leave a municipality short down the road.

“I would suggest we would not lower the share in percentage. But it might go up,” he said.

For his part, Cockrill said he also could not commit to a freeze. He stated if elected the Sask. Party will “continue working with our municipalities both rural and urban to find that right funding formula for them moving forward.”

Stewart said if elected she would continue to advocate for the Battlefords for its funding needs.

“That is what I hope to do,” she said. “To not just come back and tell the folks in the Battlefords how things are going to go, [but] to hear what they need and take that to Regina.”

Stewart said there has to be a stop to provincial cuts that impact services.

On dealing with crime, candidates agreed it is a complex issue.

“We hear a lot about crime in the Battlefords,” Stewart said.

She said the root causes of crime need to be examined – poverty, mental health, addiction – to “work together with our local business leaders, with our local municipal government, and the community on how to best address it.”

Cockrill said the Sask. Party government provided nearly $500,000 in funding in the 2020 budget for a Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic based in North Battleford that will help respond to the issue of addiction in the community.

“That has kind of hit the pause button because of the pandemic, but with that RAAM clinic we are going to see some of those root issues addressed,” he said. “It does impact our local businesses on our recruitment and retention perspective… But I think with our government’s funding and the investment we’re making in mental health and addictions specifically here in the Battlefords – the RAAM clinic – we are going to see some of those root issues addressed. Hopefully, that will help the business community move forward.”

Zamonsky mentioned he believes education can have a role in addressing the root causes of crime and addiction as well, specifically the benefits of land-based learning.

“We have to collaborate with all people involved, to try to cooperate and discover what is causing the problems,” he said. “It is basically a social issue.”

Chamber member Warren Williams, who assisted in moderating the event, says the forum was a success, and was glad it could be offered. Participants social distanced and followed COVID-19 precautions.

“I think given the circumstances, I thought it was well done,” Williams said. “I thought the candidates came very well prepared.”

Filmed by Access Communications, the event will be broadcast on AccessNow TV, in HD on Access 507 and SD on Access 7. The program is scheduled to air Oct. 19 at 3 p.m., Oct. 22 at 8:30 p.m., Oct. 23 at 8:30 p.m. and Oct. 24 at 12 p.m.

The provincial election is Monday, Oct. 26.

–

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

Local provincial candidates have lively exchange of ideas at chamber forum

What's Trending