Ludwig, council attend SUMA meetings

It has become one of the biggest issues in Canadian politics and not surprisingly it dominated the conversation at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipality Association's annual meeting last week in Regina.

Infrastructure was the prevailing topic at the four-day affair, which ran from Feb. 2 to 5.

Mayor Roy Ludwig and the five members of council were in the Queen City for the meetings and said the experience was a positive one for the local contingent.

"It was all quite interesting," Ludwig said.

With a number of communities facing significant issues finding enough money to complete their massive backlog of work, many are hoping to hear some positive news with respect to funding from the provincial government.

In fact, the SUMA delegates went so far as passing a resolution asking the government to reveal the details of the Building Canada Fund, which, they hope will provide money for needed projects.

According to the resolution, the government is expected to provide $14.4 billion in funding over the next 10 years. However, details have been sparse and many communities are seeking details so they can begin making plans.

Ludwig said Estevan is among those awaiting details as they have some significant projects on the books that might be eligible for funding.

"We have to do some major improvements to the wastewater treatment plant," Ludwig said. "We've got all these plans in place and blueprints in place and tenders ready to go; so we were hoping to get some monies because the province said they would be willing to participate in whatever program the feds come out with.

"Usually the type of program they are talking about is a third for the municipality, a third for the province and a third for the feds. The province is onside but again we have heard nothing substantial from the federal government."

The federal budget was due to be presented Tuesday afternoon by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Ludwig said they were hoping more details would be revealed. However, he noted that Regina Liberal MP Ralph Goodale spoke at SUMA and warned delegates not to get their hopes up.

"(Goodale) said the way he sees it is the federal government is going to balance their books on the backs of this infrastructure program and give (Canadian municipalities) very little money, like from $5 billion a year down to $200 million a year for 2013, 2014, and 2015," Ludwig said. "When he was talking about that, everybody went quiet."

Ludwig said Estevan and many other communities are in the same boat regarding infrastructure. He said the overall infrastructure deficit for Saskatchewan alone is believed to be around $50 billion.

The meeting also included a speech last Tuesday from Premier Brad Wall and a bear pit session last Wednesday with members of the Sask. Party cabinet.

Wall's speech caught the attention of many as he suggested that education taxes may be increased to pay for infrastructure projects in the province.

"Most of the people there weren't quite sure where he was going with that and it was pretty quiet," said Ludwig. "I think maybe he was waiting to see what the reaction would be and it was very subdued.

"But the bottom line is we do need the infrastructure and at the same time you don't want the education taxes to go up to any great degree."

The SUMA delegates also passed a resolution asking Canadian rail companies to provide more details about the dangerous goods passing through communities. The issue is of particular importance to Estevan as many goods pass through the city each day.