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MLA busy preparing for spring election

Nov 28, 2015 | 2:59 PM

Another legislative session is in the books and the MLA for Prince Albert Northcote can now direct her focus on the spring election.

Victoria Jurgens feels very optimistic about her future, explaining the Sask. Party government has created a very positive climate in Prince Albert.

“In Prince Albert, I’ve seen many new small and medium sized businesses opening and our constituents seem quite excited about what lies ahead,” she said.

When asked what the government has done for us lately, Jurgens said Prince Albert benefitted in a number of ways during the last session. 

The launch of the head start on a home project provided 63 housing units in Prince Albert for entry level home buyers, and the expansion of the mens’ and womens’ correctional facilities created over 200 jobs.

Prince Albert’s Victoria Hospital, and their overcapacity issues, have been a big topic of late and Jurgens said she has heard the concerns.

The NDP raised the issue of emergency room patients waiting up to an hour and a half to see a doctor.  There was also lots of talk about a new hospital.

“We’ve got it moved into the stage where the government gave $2 million to the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region for planning and renewing the Victoria Hospital so that planning piece is still there,” she said.

Jurgens has been Prince Albert’s sole representative since March, when former MLA Darryl Hickie resigned to join the Prince Albert Police Service.

Jurgens is well aware that the NDP is fighting for a position in the Prince Albert area.

“A political election is always a tough fight and I will give it all the hard work I did the last time around, and I hope my constituents see the work that I’ve done taking their voice down to Regina,” she said.

Nicole Rancourt will challenge Jurgens in the next election.  Rancourt works for the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region and the hospital is naturally one of her top priorities.

“We definitely know that in the Prince Albert area we need more capacity at this hospital, and so instead of laying off more staff we need a government that will be investing into this hospital,” she said.

Rancourt said Jurgens did very little for Prince Albert during the last session, whereas NDP leader Cam Broten spent a lot of time questioning the government on Prince Albert issues including the privatizing the laundry services and the need for a second bridge.

The date for the provincial election is Apr. 4, 2016.

 

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell