Yorkton Mayor sees positive in meeting with federal minister

City mayors and managers are meeting in electronically today for the Municipalities of Saskatchewan City Mayors’ Caucus, to discuss issues important to the province’s largest municipalities.

They were joined by the Honorable Mélanie Joly, the Minister for Economic Development and Official Languages, to discuss the steps that the Federal Government is taking to assist municipalities with the economic effects of COVID-19. 

“We had a really good conversation with Minister Joly,” Yorkton Mayor Bob Maloney told Yorkton This Week. “We talked about a number of things.”

In particular, Maloney said he let Minister Joly know that support for small business in the time of COVID-19 is appreciated.

“I’ve heard a number of local small businesses took advantage of the loans,” said the Yorkton Mayor.

Maloney said it is important small business be supported, adding there is some suggestion some businesses will close because of the impact of COVID-19.

“I Think mayors across the province are concerned about that,” he said.

Maloney said there was indication from Joly that they were aware of small business concerns and that more support could be on its way if needed, adding he had the sense the federal government “wants to avoid that cliff scenario” where businesses fail.

“There seems a willingness to continue support and kudos to that,” said Maloney.

Maloney said Joly also seemed aware of western concerns such as those of the oil industry.

“There were some positive signals from the Minister,” he said, adding Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig invited the Minister to visit. “... She (Joly) pretty much accepted that invitation.”

While it will need to wait until the current pandemic cools more, Maloney said it’s important federal officials visit areas where there are concerns, such as the Estevan area with its worries over the future of coal use.

Maloney said the Minister was also thanked or the recent gas tax dollars which flowed directly to municipalities. He said such a direct grant from the federal level has not happened in years.

“It’s something we haven’t seen,” he said, adding such direct support is a huge help to municipalities.

 The Minister said the federal government wants to work with municipalities.

“We’re working closely with municipalities to fight COVID-19 and support local jobs, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to hear directly from Mayors from across Saskatchewan,” said Minister Joly in a prepared release. “These frank, honest conversations are about listening as much as talking, and I want to thank everyone who shared their perspectives. Our message is clear: we’ve been here for you with significant emergency measures, we’re here for you now as our economy reopens and we’ll get through this, together. We’re working with you to support good jobs and help our economy come back stronger than ever.”

Kent Campbell, the Saskatchewan Deputy Minister for Trade and Export Development also joined the meeting, to discuss the province’s plan for restarting the economy and how cities can be best supported to assist with those efforts.

“This is a critical time for cities across Saskatchewan,” said Fraser Tolmie, City of Moose Jaw mayor and chair of the Municipalities of Saskatchewan City Mayors’ Caucus in the same release. “We have been struggling to provide services and support both our residents and local businesses in this difficult time, and we are very thankful to have the opportunity to bring our concerns directly to both the federal and provincial governments."