Premier Brad Wall will soon be dropping the writ for the upcoming provincial election, set by legislation for Monday, April 4.
There are many important and crucial issues that need discussing and addressing by the parties and candidates who will be seeking our votes to represent us in the Legislature.
The premier recently made a quick tour through Weyburn during a day off that came up on his schedule, and with many media representatives following him here from Regina, he addressed some of the issues that will surely be raised in the election campaign.
He met with Weyburn city council, and they discussed a number of issues, including their wish to get going on a shovel-ready infrastructure project to build a new sewage lagoon to serve the city’s sewage needs, the status of twinning Highway 39, and getting their support for the Energy East pipeline project.
At one point, as he was about to tour Souris Valley Industry’s Weyburn plant, he posed for a photo with the families who manage and work at the plant, and held a baby. One reporter quipped that if he kissed the baby, then they knew the campaign was officially underway (he didn’t kiss the baby, just held it).
Premier Wall also met with the local oilman who originated the idea for the accelerated well cleanup program, Matt Cugnet, which the premier has passed on to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and has spoken to him about twice as the province now awaits a hopefully-positive response.
This is an example of proactive working on behalf of the province while the oil industry is suffering under depressed oil prices and many people are out of work.
The election campaign will bring up many other crucial issues, such as health care, the state of the province’s highways and infrastructure, education and taxes, and very likely, the size of the deficit which was just reported to be $427 million. This is not nearly as huge as what Ottawa is proposing at $18 billion and counting, but it will be substantial enough for Saskatchewan taxpayers to deal with in the coming years.
Under health care, there have been concerns raised, like waiting lists for surgery and seniors care. These and many other issues will arise and voters will need to hear what the parties have to say about how they will address these concerns before they vote on April 4. — Greg Nikkel
