The New Democrats have assigned their MLA’s critic portfolios.
In Cumberland, Doyle Vermette will oversee Northern Affairs and mental health and addictions and be the associate critic for First Nations and Métis affairs.
Vermette said it was a bit shocking but not surprising to see that the Sask. Party made little reference in its election campaign to First Nations and Northern issues.
“They’re going have to answer to why no mention of the North? Why isn’t the North included in all the other announcements,” Vermette explained.
Being one of two MLA’s to represent the North, Vermette expressed frustration in believing the government is not listening to the problems he and Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger bring up.
So, now Vermette will turn to other northern leaders to help apply pressure to the government to be heard.
“We’re going to have to use utilize our First Nation leaders, our Métis leaders our mental health leaders to put pressure on government and we got to be a strong voice together and go down to Regina to lobby. We have to, it can’t be divide and conquer anymore. It can’t be that way,” said Vermette.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say, we can’t be treated like we’re not a part of the province. And I’m hearing that by people, constituents while I went door knocking.”
As the North sees COVID-19 cases rise, mental health of residents is becoming an increased concern, given that region has high rates of suicide.
The mental health and addictions critic role is relatively new to the portfolio, yet Vermette sees mental health and addictions as the greatest challenge affecting the North.
“Well, yeah, for Northern Saskatchewan, I would have to say with COVID, with addictions, with suicide, and seeing the challenges that are many of our people waiting for services,” Vermette said.
“We’re seeing it as it’s so difficult to try to get into any treatment centers. I’ve watched these families and individuals just trying, struggling to keep it together and keep themselves with counseling with whatever they can do, to try to keep themselves off of the drugs and from relapsing going back to using, but they need support, and they need a treatment center.”
Following the election, Premier Scott Moe made the commitment to govern for the betterment of all people in the province.
Vermette said he would look to the Throne Speech, expected later this fall as an indication of what the government’s approach is to the North.