By Greg Nikkel
This past year had some real challenges for Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan, but he is seeing some signs of optimism for a better 2017 on the horizon.
In a year-end interview, Duncan reflected on the ups and downs of 2016, with a personal highlight being re-elected in the provincial election, and being named the Energy and Resources minister, after serving for four years as the Health minister.
“I was very appreciative of the support I’ve received,” said Duncan. “Premier Wall was the first non-CCF premier to be elected to a third consecutive term. That’s something political watchers will look back on.”
He was happy to be moved into the Energy and Resources portfolio, as it’s a major industry of this riding, although he admitted there have been some real challenges with the downturn in the oil prices.
“For the constituency, we’ve had a lot of things to celebrate, notwithstanding the effects of the downturn, and even with some of the difficult decisions we’ve had to make, like the court house issue,” said Duncan, making reference to the planned removal of Queen’s Bench and the sheriff’s office from the Weyburn Court House.
One of the positive aspects of this year, he noted, was the completion of the new campus for Southeast College as part of the Weyburn Comprehensive School complex.
He also noted that the City received their federal-provincial infrastructure grant for a new reservoir, which will now be built over the next couple of years.
“It’s been a challenging year,” said Duncan, and took note that a big upcoming challenge for the government, and for himself as Energy and Resources minister, will be how they deal with the carbon tax that is to be imposed by the Trudeau government. Saskatchewan is the only province currently to oppose it, and the government is considering what their legal options will be.
Duncan said until they know how the federal government is imposing it, they won’t know what legal challenge they will be able to mount. “Will it be an actual tax or levies on our exports? We don’t know what mechanism it will have. If it comes down to it, we would go to court, and Premier noted he doesn’t say that lightly.”
He added he is proud of the leadership that Premier Wall has shown on this issue, and has taken a stance that he agrees with, primarily because it will hurt Saskatchewan’s economy more than any other.
Looking ahead to 2017, Duncan feels more optimistic as the oil price has been strengthened somewhat by the new OPEC deal. Some of the positive signs he’s seen that may bode well for the southeast include Crescent Point’s announced plan to spend some $1.45 billion in capital expenditures, most of that in Saskatchewan, along with the announced plans for a refinery at Stoughton by Quantum Energy.
In addition, two drilling forecasts he’s seen indicate there will be more oil wells drilled this coming year in Saskatchewan than Alberta.
“I don’t think we’ve ever seen that before. I think there’s a lot of things that are bringing some optimism on the horizon in 2017,” said Duncan.
