The MLA for the northern Saskatchewan riding of Athabasca says he is “very, very ashamed of this government” following yesterday’s provincial budget announcement.
Buckley Belanger says it does nothing to address the critical issue of proper highways in the province’s north to accommodate the growing resource sector.
The New Democrat also says $6 million for the task force recommendations on Aboriginal education and employment is paltry:
“So it’s clearly not enough money and it’s just a very small step — mind you, it’s in the right direction — but it’s a very, very tiny step. And I would say they need to take giant steps to address the discrepancy between Aboriginal education and non-Aboriginal education, overall.”
But the president of Northlands College in La Ronge, Toby Greschner, sees that commitment as a positive development:
“You always ask for more, but we do understand the economics of the province, and the economy of the province, and how things are working right now, the way things are in the resource sector. And we’re just trying to make sure we do whatever we can to make sure northerners are participating in the economy.”
Meanwhile, La Ronge’s mayor is welcoming yesterday’s budget item that will see funding devoted to planning for long-term care expansion in the northern town.
Thomas Sierzycki is grateful the province has acknowledged that a shortage of long-term care beds is an issue:
“This is the priority for northern Saskatchewan. I think we’re sending too many elders out of our communities and not enough elders are receiving the care they deserve. So, for the people that built this province and built northern Saskatchewan, they deserve to stay home — and the province has seen that. So, definitely, with their $500,000 contribution for planning, it’s the first of a couple of steps that need to take place in order to get a facility.”
As for the budget’s news on municipal revenue sharing, Sierzycki says it will be tough for municipalities to make do with less — especially in the north”
“We are going to be receiving a little bit less next year because of the PST fluctuations and the way they’re calculating it — so that’s not something we want to hear. But the north has been hit the least hardest, I believe, based on the reformulation. The government’s been good — and I give the government that — for since 2007, revenue sharing has increased and it’s increased substantially. And it’s very important for northern communities to have that resource.”