Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

POLL:What the people want: P.A. weighs in on the upcoming election

Sep 24, 2015 | 6:34 AM

With the federal election approaching, people in Prince Albert have a decision to make.

So far, the three major parties are in a statistical tie, meaning those who have been putting off the choice could be the deciding factor.

Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne said residents seem to be focused on a few main topics.

“The economy is number one, but for residents of our city, of course, they know we have an infrastructure deficit,” Dionne explained. “So we’re looking at the candidates to see if they’re going to continue with the infrastructure programs, the grant programs and, are they going to enhance them?”

“We need a new bridge…we have the big dig going,” said Dionne.

“We have a $70-million infrastructure deficit, so anything the federal government can do to help us with that kind of a program, we support.”

According to Dionne, depending on who is elected as our federal candidate, we could definitely see a difference in our community.

“Whoever gets elected, they have to be our spokesman,” said Dionne. “They have to meet with us and say what are our needs of our tax payers and what are we looking for.”

While Dionne said most residents are focused on the economy, it’s important to look into how money will be spent. This includes everything from infrastructure, to crucial social programming.

“When we look at all three candidates, we have to look at the funding,” he said. “When you come from a smaller community, you want to make sure you have a voice in Ottawa and I think that’ll be the biggest thing they’re looking for.

“Who’s going to be the best voice to bring our case for infrastructure to Ottawa.”

Dionne also encouraged informed voting.

“(Voters) have to educate themselves,” he said. “What would be the best for our country?…I always ask that first in a federal election…Then I say, ‘What’s best for our province,’ then I say, ‘What’s best for our community?’”

Businesses weigh in

Larry Fladager, CEO of the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce, said there are three main issues business owners seem to be focused on, the first being infrastructure development.

“That can be anything from hospitals, highways, bridges, schools, social housing, those kinds of things,” said Fladager.

According to Fladager, infrastructure in the city can have a major impact on their second main concern, business retention and expansion.

“(It’s about) creating an environment in this city where by businesses believe that it’s worthwhile to invest and or grow existing businesses, create wealth and create, of course, good-paying jobs,” he explained.

He said the third main point of interest for businesses is investment growth.

“If somebody wants to invest here, they’re looking at the quality of life, the quality of highways, the quality of schools, the quality of healthcare, and those are components that businesses look at in terms of communities and where they might invest,” said Fladager.

With flourishing local business, he said more services and more high-paying jobs will be available.

Fladager said they have discussed and put forth the three main issues, all of which they’re hoping candidates will address and respond to if elected.

At Thursday night’s candidate forum, put on by the Chamber themselves, each candidate will address relevant questions which they have been given to prepare their answers in advance.  

Following each candidates comments, a panel will moderate between four and six questions from the floor.  Attendees can present questions upon entry to the forum which the moderators will edit and pick from, based on popularity.

The forum will be held in the Carlton Cafetorium at 7 p.m.

A call for the basics

Wes Clark, co-manager of the Prince Albert Food Bank, said many people forget about the basic needs increasingly missing in the country.

“From the Food Bank’s perspective, definitely food security rides high on the list,” said Clark. “Food, shelter, water, those would be the big ones.

“It’s simply absurd that a country as rich as ours has any of those issues to begin with.”

Clark describes the social situation as “sad”.

“Things are getting worse, not better,” he said. “More people going hungry, (and they have a) harder time getting shelter.

He said the government has fallen short when it comes to meeting promises.

“The government’s done a lot of ratifying of UN charters. The right to adequate food is involved in that, and all these things, and I think our government is failing miserably on their millennial development goals,” said Clark.

In order to make real change, “we all need to work together,” he said.

 

asoloducha@panow.com

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha