Keeper, Dryden, Goodale Visit La Ronge

Keeper, Dryden, Goodale Visit La Ronge

Monday, November 19, 2007 at 13:29

 

 

Three prominent Liberal MPs visited northern Saskatchewan over the weekend.

 

Ken Dryden, Tina Keeper and Ralph Goodale were in La Ronge Saturday for a meet-and-greet with local residents and Aboriginal leaders.

 

Goodale says they wanted to touch base with constituents in a riding that was won by the Liberals in the last election, but is now vacant with the departure of former MP Gary Merasty.

 

Representatives of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and Prince Albert Grand Council questioned the MPs on issues related to residential school compensation cheques, the all-weather road network in Saskatchewan’s Far North, the government’s duty to consult and accommodate Aboriginal communities over development on their traditional territory, and the two per cent cap on annual federal funding increases for First Nations post-secondary education students.

 

Goodale vowed that last issue would be the highest priority for his party on the Aboriginal file if they get back into power.

 

Dryden says after hearing their concerns, he’s even more determined to see the Kelowna Accord eventually implemented.

 

Meanwhile, even though the Tories just about won the riding in the last election, Goodale says he doesn’t expect as much of a challenge in a coming by-election or general election.

 

He also says he doesn’t begrudge Merasty for resigning, saying he understands Merasty’s reasons for leaving.