Economic development and other business-related issues were the focus of the candidates’ forum for Estevan city councillor, held Thursday night at the Access Communication studio.
Each of the 11 candidates in the civic election shared their platforms and offered thoughts on the future of the city.
In order to comply with the social distancing restrictions, candidates were divided into two groups due to the number of people running for councillor.
The first six were Blaine Chrest, Lindsay Clark, Rebecca Foord, Travis Frank, Mark Henderson and Tony Sernick. The second group was Geoff Thiessen, Shelly Veroba, Kirsten Walliser, Bernadette Wright and Allan Yergens. Frank and Veroba are the only incumbents.
The councillor candidates gave their opening remarks and received prepared questions on why they would run for councillor at a challenging time for the community, and the role the city would have to play in economic development.
The potential polygeneration facility that was announced earlier that day was brought up repeatedly throughout the debate, with the candidates expressing confidence in its potential.
Chrest said the city needs to strike a balance between attracting new businesses and being here for those that are already here.
“Working with them as well, maybe we can come to some compromise, and maybe help them out with the expenses they’ve been having. I know I’ve had a few people already approach me about their utilities and taxes.”
He is pleased to see a diverse group of candidates running for council, and he hopes they draw on the different backgrounds of the 11 people.
Clark said he believes the city has assembled an economic development committee, and he is confident in their abilities to find new opportunities. The new council has to support that committee.
“Also, I want to see local companies that want to expand to new markets throughout the country to have the same access to economic development programs,” said Clark. “We should take advantage of their proven track record and their expertise.”
Council needs to take a message to SaskPower and the provincial government about the importance of power generation in this area.
Frank noted that when he ran four years ago for the first time, the need for an economic development employee was a hot topic of conversation. Now nobody questions the role.
“We went from arguing whether we would have one person to (having) an entire board of directors and business owners, and two employees working with us, a business incubator for new people to start a business and some of the best tax incentives anywhere in the province,” Frank said.
The city needs to do what it can to facilitate new businesses to ensure new small businesses will open and large businesses will come.
Foord said the city needs to be involved in economic development as much as possible, and the polygeneration facility reflects the work that has already occurred.
“We can’t sit around any longer and wait for federal and provincial government decisions to be the factor that’s mainly changing our lives,” she said. “We’re the ones that live here and we’re the ones that need to be fighting and pushing for economic development.”
The city should be committed to supporting existing industries and taking care of those who are involved, but also be aware the rules for industries are changing.
Henderson said the most recent council has taken positive steps with tax exemption incentives to attract new businesses, and with the establishment of the business incubator.
“But the role of council can’t be to sit back and wait for something to stick. It must work to make sure that some of these ideas gain traction, and we must continue to evaluate these incentives and remove them if they do become stagnant,” said Henderson.
Estevan can be a great fit for companies from a geographic and economic perspective, Henderson said. He also encouraged council to constantly work to promote the city.
Sernick said city council, the economic development group and local citizens need to welcome businesses with open arms.
“The city simply needs to be easy to do business with,” said Sernick. “Taxes and regulations must be kept in line or businesses will move to the surrounding areas.”
He pointed out that not only do Unit 6 at the Boundary Dam Power Station and the Shand Power Station need to be retrofitted with carbon capture and storage technology, but Whitecap Resources wants to purchase more captured carbon dioxide for its enhanced oil recovery efforts at its Weyburn unit.
Thiessen said there can be tax initiatives for new businesses, but also existing businesses in Estevan.
“I think if we give businesses the best opportunity to grow and thrive, our community also grows and thrives. I think being transparent with developing opportunities, advocating again for the federal and provincial grants that are available, and looking for varieties of initiatives to build a strong and stable economy.”
It’s also important to listen to people, to continue to advocate for carbon capture and storage, and to revitalize downtown and make Estevan a place to shop.
Veroba recalled that in the 2016 election, there were questions about economic development, and she saw the need for an economic development officer. Since then, the economic development board has been formed.
She noted when she attended an economic development course and spoke to other communities, she found out that Estevan was the envy of other communities because the city had someone in the role.
“That was something they all wanted and felt their communities needed,” said Veroba. “As a city, if we want to put out the welcome mat, then we need to have someone opening that door with consistent efforts.”
Walliser said economic development is a complex position. Comparing it to the work of a charge nurse, she said the charge nurse does not provide bedside care; rather, it’s someone who co-ordinates the care patients receive, while relying on the expertise and communication of bedside nurses, and then takes the information and advocates to change the environment.
“I believe the city needs to take that co-ordination and planning role of economic development,” she said. “The coal transition co-ordinator, the economic development board, the chamber of commerce and individual residents are those front-line (people), besides experts.”
Wright said it’s important for the city to work with the economic development board, including the coal transition co-ordinator, to promote economic growth and recovery by supporting existing and attracting new businesses.
“This may include working with community partners and stakeholders, reviewing the community needs assessment, confirming new businesses are not redundant and comply with city bylaws and zoning, and also creating a welcoming environment for businesses to grow and thrive.”
Continuing to work collaboratively will enhance economic development in Estevan, she said.
Yergens said the economy is down and the city needs to persevere until the downturn is finished. He suggested looking for small things that can start in the city.
“I think our main object is the oil industry and all that’s here. The oil is still down there, and we just have to get it to market,” said Yergens.
The oil industry needs to get going, because if it is going again, then Estevan will do all right.
As for questions from the public, the first six councillor candidates were asked about what they would do to support present businesses, and how they would handle the wild swings in assessment values from the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency.
The second group was asked about how to position Estevan as an affordable place to live, and how to attract and retain small businesses in the city, beyond what currently exists.
For coverage of the mayoral forum, please see Page A5.
The civic election is Nov. 9.
