Northern Mayors Feeling Ignored By Province

Northern Mayors Feeling Ignored By Province

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 15:22

A provincial cabinet minister says the government shares New North’s concerns about economic development in the north.

New North vice-chair Bruce Fidler has recently accused the province of ignoring problems in northern Saskatchewan.

He cites examples like poor roads and slow development of enterprise regions compared to the south.

First Nations and Metis Relations Minister June Draude says Ottawa and the province agree northern roads must be improved.

But she can’t say how much money will be spent on them this year or when the work will be done.

Draude also says the government is working with northern officials to get enterprise regions set up as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, Draude says if northern mayors want a meeting with Premier Brad Wall, they have to make a formal request and not rely on a news release.