YORKTON – Long time Yorkton resident Doug Forster is in the running for the Yorkton MLA seat.
Forster told SaskToday.ca via email he was born and raised in Esterhazy and has been a Saskatchewan resident for the majority of his life.
"Yorkton introduced me to my partner Teresa, together we have a blended family of three hardworking sons, two daughters in law, and four grandchildren, three of them are students in the public school system," said Forster in the email.
"My passion for Yorkton is deeply rooted in my commitment to giving back to my home. A four-year member the City Of Yorkton Planning Commission and a Director with the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce," said Forster.
"At times I could be found in the announcers booth at Yorkton Regional High School Raider & Yorkton Minor Football Gridder and Lady Gridder football games or in the announcers booth at Yorkton Terrier Games," added Forster.
"In 1999 the Terriers declared me as Volunteer of the Year. A member of the organizing committee for the East Central Health Districts Rhythm & Ribs, I am a former Kinsmen and have helped execute several fundraising events with several local schools and community groups. I am committed to my city, your city, our city," said Forster.
What do you see as priorities for the area?
Priorities for Yorkton, in no particular order:
- Grain Millers Drive
- New Hospital & Health Care in General, this isn’t just a regional issue.
- Education. Smaller class sizes and a safer environment for teachers & students.
- The Intersection of Highways 9 & 16
- Aging critical infrastructure.
- Cost of living
- Homelessness. Not just a regional issue
- Policing, Fire Protective Services, and General Public Safety.
- Reducing the bureaucratic red tape that bogs down progress.
- Economic Development.
What is your plan on:
Affordability
A three per cent reduction of the PST & the elimination of the 15 per cent provincial fuel tax will immediately put money back in tax-payers’ pockets. Those that are 65 Years and older will receive a 65 per cent tax reduction on their primary residence, they have paid their dues and its time to give something back to them.
Health
Health care is a crisis, period. Its time to audit this dept beginning at the top and eliminate the wasteful spending. The province needs to stop creating management (administration) positions and focus on the front-line requirements. Money for healthcare needs to be applied starting at the bottom, ensuring the critical portion of the service is the first to receive funding.
We can’t continue to keep throwing money at these problems and expect them to go away, it’s just not working. The province needs real life solutions for real life problems. Its time to consider a Private/Public option to help eliminate some of the front line backlog.
Education
When we speak of crisis, education is certainly not an exception. The front-lines of education should be handled no different then other critical services like Health Care. Its time to tear apart the operation of the education system and begin to eliminate the wasteful spending, and start supporting those on the front lines, where educating our future begins. There is far too much focus on administration and creating upper management positions for the creation of red tape. Our future is in the education of our future leaders, its time to return to the basics and the quality of the lessons being taught to our kids, not running the narrative from an office. Parents need to have a say in the type of education their child receives while they bolster a positive partnership with front line teachers.
Parents are the first and most influential teachers in a child’s life, and their involvement in their children’s education is paramount to their success and development. We will introduce OPT-IN policies that encourage and facilitate parental involvement in the classroom. Unlike OPT-OUT policies, OPT-IN will require schools and school boards to foster meaningful conversations with parents, requiring their approval for student’s participation in curriculum that broach controversial subjects.
Public Safety
A thriving society is built on the foundations of law & order, where families can live without fear and every child can grow up in a secure environment
A tougher stance on criminals and sentencing those that break the law. We are committed to tougher sentencing for criminals, and ensuring proper consequences are enforced.
We believe in zero tolerance policy for violent and repeat offenders. As a result, we will end the current catch and release justice system. We will direct prosecutors to pursue maximum sentences for those convicted of serious crimes and appoint judges who prioritize the needs of victims and their families over the excuses of criminals. By taking these decisive steps we can ensure that justice is served and that our communities are better protected.
Highways
Another department that needs to be audited immediately so unnecessary spending can be eliminated and the savings can be applied to the root of the problem. Saskatchewan deserves to drive on a quality of roads that reflects the large amount of money that has been contributed through the collection of taxes.
Other jurisdictions have suitable road conditions, there is no reason Saskatchewan can’t enjoy the same considering the amount of royalties that are available from Saskatchewan’s natural resources, and proper management. Its time to return some of Saskatchewan’s resource wealth back to its people, highways can benefit from this change.
What is your stance on the federal Carbon Tax?
Our energy policy leverages Saskatchewan’s abundant natural resources to power our province and unlock its full potential. Coal and natural gas will be used to produce affordable electricity until reserves are depleted, with energy plants operating well beyond Scott Moe’s Net-Zero by 2050 agenda. Coal and natural gas will remain a cornerstone of our energy strategy, ensuring reliable and affordable energy is available to build a thriving, self-sufficient and market-driven economy. We do not support a tax on Carbon, it is a strain on our province and its people, it is contributing to the high costs of living and needs to be scrapped immediately.
Most pressing issue affecting your constituency?
Voters are concerned about the same things across the board. health care, education, the cost of living and the increasing amount of homelessness. None of these concerns are specific to just Yorkton and surrounding, but on everyone’s mind. Yorkton voters are interested in local issues like a New Hospital, Grain Millers Road, the junction of Highways 9 & 16, and the deterioration of our city streets and RM roads. They are looking for and deserve strong leadership from a community minded and community engaged candidate who shares their vision for our corner of the province. Someone who has lengthy roots here, someone who has seen this city through good times and bad over three decades and someone who has a passion for our community.
