SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN - Premier Scott Moe and Cannington MLA Daryl Harrison visited the RM of Tecumseh and the Town of Stoughton on Aug. 27 as part of their rounds in the southeast.
This was the first time that Moe had seen the new building that the RM built, and he was impressed with the layout of the structure. Moe said his visit would be less interesting than John Gormley speaking at the 115th anniversary for the RM of Tecumseh back in June.
As a government, they do their best to get things right and if it needs changing, the premier said they do their best to make it happen. Moe said that Harrison is an important part of the party's caucus and when he is told of issues, he makes sure they are brought forward.
Reeve Zandra Slater informed the premier that the building was designed to not only be the office space, but to be the headquarters for the emergency measures organization. The large meeting room has a retractable wall to accommodate more people if the situation were to occur. She also explained to him where people would be housed in case of an emergency, because of a generator hookup that is available at the school and the legion.
Mayor Clarence Hoffart told Moe about the water infrastructure that is being built for the town. Hoffart said if there is no water for the town, there is no town, and the system in Stoughton is incredibly old and desperately needs replacement.
Moe agreed with Hoffart, saying the delivery of water and wastewater keeps a town going. In some cases, the infrastructure dates back to the 1960s.
Moe asked about the storms that happened a few days prior and was interested in crop damage and the amount of rain that came with the storms. The premier felt the crops looked good in the area and was grateful that no more damage had happened.
Shiela Sim was also at the meeting from Arcola, and her concern was the loss of a lab in Stoughton. Since 2012, a lab technician has come to a doctor office in the town, but because it is not a building approved by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, they have required the lab technician to come to another facility that is SHA approved.
It was suggested that this take place at the New Hope Pioneer Lodge, according to Sim, but the lodge said this is not an ideal place for people to be coming and going with the seniors that live there.
The Town of Stoughton and the RM have done a great deal of work in the building, and Carol Dickie, who is employed by the town, has done all the bookings for many years without any issues.
Sim said Dickie has been an excellent person to have in the office.
The lab technician came to Stoughton one morning a week, then in the afternoon went to Lampman, but she has now received full-time employment in Oxbow, leaving the smaller communities without someone in that role.
According to Sim, because the building in Stoughton is not SHA approved, they will no longer come to the doctor's office, but if an approved SHA building were to be supplied the possibility is good.
Moe was unaware of this situation. He asked Harrison to look into the matter and supply answers to the town. The premier said health care seemed to be a big issue to all the small towns that he has attended, and the discussions have been extensive.
Sim is asking for some assistance also for the Arcola Health Centre so the ER can remain open while running with three doctors instead of five required. Moe assured the people present that he will look into the situation about the doctors and get some clarification.
Slater asked about lithium and if it was going to have the same regulations as drilling for oil wells. Moe replied it was going to have its own set of regulations, which is being worked on now.
Moe was grateful to have the opportunity to meet with the reeve, mayor and council members, and was thankful for the people speaking up about the concerns that they have in the area and that the issues at hand will be brought forward, to give the people some answers.
The stop in Stoughton was one of several that he made in the Cannington constituency on Aug. 30. Other highlights include a visit to E. Bourassa & Sons in Carlyle, the South East Butcher Block in Alameda, and Redvers Ag and Supply Ltd.
