The annual SUMA convention wrapped up Feb. 6 with one of the familiar staples of the event: the bear pit session featuring provincial cabinet ministers.
The popular session attracted a full crowd of SUMA delegates, many of whom grilled the ministers on various issues affecting their municipalities.
The fact that a wide range of topics were discussed, ranging from contaminated lots to recreation facilities to public-private partnerships, was perhaps news in itself because in recent years the "bear pit" had become infamous for its focus on a single topic - health care.
Past bear pits saw then-Health Minister Don McMorris on the hot seat fielding questions on various local health matters, including how those services are delivered.
While new Health Minister Dustin Duncan and Randy Weekes, the minister responsible for Rural and Remote Health, saw their share of questions during the bear pit session, McMorris didn't escape his usual grilling either. This time, it was on topics related to his new portfolio of highways and infrastructure.
Two Prince Albert delegates pushed for a second bridge for that city. One made known the city's displeasure with findings of study that suggested there would be no need for a second bridge for 25 years.
McMorris, however, responded that the current Diefenbaker Bridge was not yet at full capacity. "There is still more room for capacity on that bridge."
Questions were also posed on the liquor laws, a hot topic given recent changes introduced by the provincial government during the fall session.
One question centred on a proposal floated recently to allow municipalities, and not the province, to set their own hours for liquor stores and off sales to operate.
But the minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, Donna Harpauer, told the audience that idea will not go ahead, as feedback was fairly strong that the municipalities are not interested.
