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NDP leadership hopeful visits the North

Oct 17, 2017 | 11:46 AM

One NDP leadership candidate is touring the North and announcing his plans to support the region in the future.

Trent Wotherspoon visited La Ronge on Oct. 16 where he announced his commitment to re-establishing the Ministry of Northern Affairs.

“Right now you’ve got all of the decisions being made out of Regina, consolidated by the premier’s office with little attention, little understanding of the North,” Wotherspoon said.

He said establishing a Ministry of Northern Affairs in the North allows the government to work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous northerners to advance important programs with their knowledge and leadership.

Wotherspoon said it would “make a lot of sense” for such an office to be established in a northern community like La Ronge.

“It needs to be based in the North,” Wotherspoon said. 

Previously, the province did have a Ministry of Northern Affairs, but it was renamed as the Ministry of Northern Municipal Services following a government reorganization.

Wotherspoon also announced he would provide core funding to the Northern Trappers Association.

“We’ve got 4,100 trappers in Saskatchewan. This is a very proud heritage industry,” Wotherspoon said. “These are users of our land in a very traditional way… they’re on the front lines of the environment.”

The NDP leadership candidate said he recognized not only the traditional importance of trapping but also its economic value to northern residents.

NDP MLA Doyle Vermette was on hand for Wotherspoon’s visit to La Ronge; he said the re-establishment of a Ministry of Northern Affairs gives northerners a voice within the government.

He backed Wotherspoon’s announcement regarding the Northern Trappers Association.

“By supporting [the northern trappers’ association] with core funding for their association, we will be able to preserve northern traditions while helping to promote sustainable development for our northern fur resources,” Vermette said.

 

 

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @BryanEneas