Creating a Strong Social Environment

As your MLA for Prince Albert Northcote it is often my privilege to represent the Province of Saskatchewan at a variety of community events.  In this role, I have often had the opportunity to announce advances in social infrastructure such as housing and education.  These are occasions in which the hard work by dedicated people in our community is acknowledged and celebrated.

We often celebrate the start and completion of these milestones with sod turnings and ribbon cuttings.  These images are captured for decades by media that is published with their reports of events.  However that moment represents so much more than just another photo opportunity with smiling dignitaries, shovels or scissors in hand.  It is the details that lead up to those moments that is important.  Every sod turning and ribbon cutting means that peoples’ lives are being impacted in a positive way.

These events show that there are groups of people in our community who truly care.  They care enough to take action by creating strategies and plans to solve problems and improve our quality of life.  They set goals, then do the hard work and heavy lifting that it takes to accomplish those goals.

Recent examples within Prince Albert include those that applied for the Community Rink Affordability Grant, bringing provincial funding of $22,500 to local rinks.  With support from CurlSask, Prince Albert has now hosted the northern women’s and men’s curling playdowns.

Housing advocate groups such as Habitat for Humanity, Riverbank Development Corporation, Prince Albert Housing Authority and the Prince Albert Housing Society all partner with government to bring affordable housing to our city.  Since 2007, 228 more housing units (both rental and homeowner) have been completed in Prince Albert with support from the province.  This includes 24 affordable rental units for persons at risk of homelessness or those with complex needs.  There are an additional 70 units currently under construction.

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Similar partnerships saw our government invest in seniors and we see the results with the new Pineview Terrace.  We also provided $2 million to the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region to begin planning for the renewal of Victoria Hospital.

The Community Mobilization Initiative, better known as the HUB and COR (Centre of Responsibility), continue to work towards making Prince Albert a safer city.  Concerned citizens have taken action to create an alcohol and addictions strategy, while the Saskatchewan Government is committed to improving the way it responds to mental health and addictions issues.

In December 2014, we endorsed the 10-year Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan and named 11 people to an advisory group which will create a strategy to fight poverty in Saskatchewan.

These are the benefits of a strong and diversified economy.  When Saskatchewan’s economy is strong, we build a broader tax base and a greater ability to continue making these important investments. Growth for the sake of growth is not the goal. These investments are building a stronger social environment and a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan people.

Prince Albert Northcote constituents are always welcome to contact me.  Call 306-922-4220, visit my website at http://mlajurgens.ca or email mlajurgens@sasktel.net. My office is located at 5A 598 15 St. East across from Superstore