Dear Editor
Battleford and North Battleford mayors Derek Mahon and Ian Hamilton offered an upbeat appraisal of local economic prospects at a recent Battlefords Chamber of Commerce event.
There is much to be optimistic about. New business starts and investments in local infrastructure are achievements to be proud of.
But not everyone is benefiting from the buoyant economy or sharing in the prosperity.
Instead, many working families are facing the unsettling prospect of job loss and an uncertain future. The provincial government's decision to shut down the Battleford Community Correctional Centre and the North Battleford Youth Centre will result in the loss of more than160 good, family-supporting jobs.
Employees at those centres, professional corrections and young offender workers, are important contributors to the Battlefords community. They pay local taxes and shop at local businesses. The loss of those jobs will hurt individual families and the local economy.
The closure of the local corrections and young offender facilities was overshadowed by the announcement of the construction of a new Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford, along with an integrated corrections facility for inmates living with mental illness. The specialized centre to house and treat offenders dealing with mental health issues is a welcome addition to the province's corrections system. But, there seems to be little rationale for closing the community correctional centre, especially given that correctional facilities around the province are chronically overcrowded, leading to unsafe environments for staff and inmates.
Economic growth should lead to shared prosperity. But when working families are left without jobs and important services disappear, we need to question government decisions and assess the impact on the community as a whole.
Jack Duvall
North Battleford
