Battlefords MLA Herb Cox points to positives that came out of the recent, and at time turbulent, legislative session that wrapped up in Regina May 16.
The new employment act and the new liquor regulations were two of the initiatives Cox could point to, along with a balanced budget and continued strong economic conditions in Saskatchewan.
"We moved 53 bills through the legislature," said Cox. "Probably I guess the Employment Act was the highlight of the legislative session."
Among the key measures from that bill that Cox could point to were some additional leaves that employees could be granted, reductions in the qualifying period for maternity leave and parental leave, more flexibility in the 40-hour work week, and other items.
Liquor regulations were also brought up to date. Cox noted changes for liquor carts on golf courses leave it up to golf courses to determine how many they want to have. Three new private liquor stores were also announced, two in Saskatoon and one in Regina.
Cox was one of the MLAs appointed to a new special committee on traffic safety.
"We started last week, we probably had presentations from six or seven different groups," said Cox. Among them were police forces, MADD, SGI, and safety consultants, and more meetings are scheduled soon.
"We're meeting with them over the next three weeks in various locations in the province, and try to come up with ideas to make highways safer and reduce deaths and injuries on the highway."
The session also provided an opportunity for Cox to tout the robust economy in the Battlefords and continue to promote local initiatives.
Cox pointed to the continued progress into a new Saskatchewan Hospital with funding approved to look into P3 possibilities.
"The good news in that respect is the planning is ongoing for Sask. Hospital as we speak," said Cox. "The layout is being planned and the stakeholders are being consulted."
The past session was not without its tumultuous moments, particularly when it came to issues involving Cox's own constituency.
During one week in April, NDP critics targeted Sask. Party ministers on issues specific to the Battlefords, including Sask. Hospital and the Maple Leafs Foods closure.
Cox said he was rankled by the exchange April 11. In that debate, NDP critic Trent Wotherspoon hammered Minister of the Economy Bill Boyd over the Maple Leaf Foods issue. According to the Hansard transcript, Wotherspoon said the closure followed "a string of other job losses for the Battlefords and area. Vanguard trailer manufacturing, Mifab welding have also left the community.
That prompted a response from Cox in the legislature April 15, in which he pointed to a robust economy in the Battlefords while also firing back at Wotherspoon for "making disparaging and negative comments about the Battlefords."
"Some of the information he received was wrong," said Cox. He pointed out in the legislature that the Vanguard plant "hadn't been a Vanguard plant for many, many years, which closed during NDP watch, by the way."
"It's now back open again as Grit (Industries) and is an ongoing excellent business," said Cox.
Cox also said the Mifab location was now home to Advantage Powder Coating, "so it's back up and running."
But the Maple Leaf closure "is very unfortunate," Cox admitted. "My heart goes out to the families affected by that closure."
He said the province would continue to work with local officials in response to the closure of Maple Leaf .
"Everyone's working to find jobs for those people again," the MLA said.
Cox also acknowledged the difficult decision made to end the STC route from Blaine Lake to North Battleford.
"The ridership just wasn't there," said Cox. "It's unfortunate and hopefully the private sector will pick up an alternative method so those people who do need that service can still get it."
Over the next several months with the legislature not in session, Cox intends to stay busy. One of his plans is to head to Anchorage, Alaska for the Pacific North West Economic Region summit this July.
He also plans to be back in the Battlefords to meet constituents and hear local concerns that he can take back to Regina and relay to the ministries.
"That's what I campaigned on, to be the voice of the Battlefords in Regina," said Cox.
