Members of Estevan city council had the opportunity to discuss provincial issues and pose questions to Estevan MLA Lori Carr during council’s meeting on Aug. 13.
After a brief introductory speech by Carr, council members took turns chatting with Carr. Coun. Greg Hoffort broached the issue of the closure of Units 4 and 5 at the Boundary Dam Power Station, wondering if a community impact assessment has been completed on the economic impact.
“Is it reasonable to ask to keep this dialogue going on Units 4 and 5, in light of the fact that until there’s a mitigation plan, until there’s an economic assessment, until there’s a guarantee for clean coal, and perhaps to wait and see what are the results of the next federal election?” asked Hoffort.
She responded by saying a community impact assessment has not been tackled by the provincial government, but acknowledged there will be a trickle-down effect to the mines, the sub-contractors and all aspects of the community.
The provincial government is continuing to work on an equivalency agreement with the federal government.
“Our goal is absolutely to continue to have coal in the mix for the province of Saskatchewan, and my goal would be to see all of our units stay open at the end of the day,” said Carr.
She would like to see other countries adopt carbon capture and storage for their coal-fired generating stations, to help the technology spread globally.
Councillor Travis Frank added that in the face of closing Units 4 and 5, he would like to see the provincial government step forward with incentives to attract new businesses.
Carr said she would be an advocate for the riding in that situation.
Council also voiced concerns with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA). Councillor Dennis Moore pointed out that one local family that has been in the restaurant business for many years has been trying for years to get an off-sale licence. They have not secured one, while other businesses have come into the city and secured a licence.
“The communication’s not great. I’ve seen what’s been going on,” said Moore.
Mayor Roy Ludwig also voiced frustration with the challenges created by SLGA for the Savour the Southeast, which has allowed many Saskatchewan food and beverage companies to showcase their products.
Councillor Lyle Yanish questioned how a company could receive four or five licences to sell cannabis in Saskatchewan, when there were so many companies bidding for a licence.
Moore also discussed healthcare in the community. He recalled that a few weeks ago, he had a couple of scans in Regina, and was then told the results would be known in four weeks, which surprised him.
While there are good people in the front line for health-care, Moore doesn’t believe the system is running as it should.
Mayor Roy Ludwig followed up Moore’s concerns by asking why many physicians take vacations at the same time rather than staggering them. Carr countered by reminding them the doctors run their own practices, and aren’t employed by the Ministry of Health.
“We keep having conversations on trying to make things work smoother, but at the end of the day, they are still their own boss,” said Ludwig.
Another health-related question came from Councillor Shelly Veroba, who voiced concern with home care services being cut back. It is a struggle for seniors to gain access to home care and mental health.
“I find sometimes they’re getting a service and then all of a sudden it’s cut back,” said Veroba. “I know there’s an appeal process, but someone who’s in their 80s and 90s, they don’t understand that.”
The mayor also reiterated previous calls to have the provincial reassessment every two years instead of four, and to limit property tax increases for 30 per cent.
Carr also discussed Premier Scott Moe’s adjustment to the role of provincial premier, reminded council that the provincial government is on track to have a balanced budget in 2019-20.
“Of course, once we get there, that doesn’t mean there’s going to be a spending frenzy, because we’re still doing some borrowing, so we still want to be fiscally responsible.”
The provincial government has started discussions regarding equalization and the fairness with other provinces, and also continues to challenge the federal government on the carbon tax front. When asked by Councillor Trevor Knibbs about the carbon tax, Carr said the provincial government won’t be willingly turning over funds to the provincial government.
