By Taylor MacPherson

Nadine Wilson reflects on 2017 and the year ahead

Dec 28, 2017 | 1:00 PM

Nadine Wilson, SaskParty MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers, caught up with paNOW to discuss the challenges and successes of 2017, and what she expects in the coming year.

Wilson said her biggest successes in 2017 came through her roles as Provincial Secretary, Legislative Secretary to the Premier, and her election last month to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. One of the highlights was her involvement in a diplomatic mission, Wilson said, representing Saskatchewan in export trade talks on food, fuel and fertilizer.

One of the biggest challenges for Wilson and much of the Saskatchewan Party was the loss of Melfort MLA Kevin Philips, she said. Phillips passed away suddenly November 13.

“It’s always difficult to lose a colleague at such a young age,” she said. “Kevin was 63.”

An upcoming challenge, which Wilson said marks “the end of an era,” is the departure of Premier Brad Wall, who announced his decision to retire in August after a decade in his current role. Wall’s leadership brought unprecedented growth to Saskatchewan, Wilson said, and he will be difficult to replace.

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“Under the leadership of Premier Brad Wall, I believe we brought Saskatchewan into the forefront,” Wilson said. “So our political landscape will be changing as we choose a new premier.”

Wilson said the issue of rural crime was raised again and again in 2017, but after consulting with stakeholders the province created a new authority specifically to address the problem. Going forward, Wilson said the province needs to work towards solving the social issues, such as poverty of substance abuse, which lie at the root of criminal behaviour.

The province’s health regions recently amalgamated into a single provincial authority, a SaskParty initiative designed to save money and improve efficiency across the province. Wilson said she’s very enthusiastic about the change, which she hopes addresses some of Saskatchewan’s healthcare challenges.

“I’m really excited about this new form that we’ve approved and developed,” she said. “I’m looking into the future very optimistically.”

Wilson said the legalization of marijuana, which the federal government has promised in 2018, will likely create some headaches for the province, but they’re working to address the problems before they arise. The legalization process may be tricky, but Wilson said the province is staying on top of it.

“There are many opinions and options,” she said, “and we are trying to work out with our ministries the best way to regulate and legalize cannabis.”

Wilson said she has her own personal thoughts on marijuana, but declined to share them publicly.

Going into 2018, Wilson said her attitude is entirely positive. While the coming year may hold more challenges for her and her party, but Wilson said she knows Saskatchewan will continue to grow and thrive.

“I think we live in the best province in Canada,” she said. “I would like to wish everyone all the best in 2018.”

—

paNOW asked all of our local MLAs the same year-end questions. To read our year-end interview with Prince Albert Carlton MLA Joe Hargrave, click here. To read our year-end interview with Prince Albert Northcote MLA Nadine Wilson, click here.

–With files from Teena Monteleone

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews