Ryan Meili spent some time at Beardy's and Okemasis Cree Nation. (From left to right) Councillor Jackie Gamble, Ryan Meili, Chief Roy Petit, Councillor Kevin Sessequasis and Councillor Tyrone Smallchild.

By Mat Barrett

Meili Tours Batoche

Renewable energy a big topic as Meili tours Batoche riding

May 31, 2019 | 1:01 PM

New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Ryan Meili spent some time in the Batoche area on Thursday, May 30.

Meili toured around multiple place in the riding, including the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation, Muskoday First Nation, a few francophone communities in the area, and he also held a Renew Saskatchewan Town Hall in Birch Hills in the evening.

Meili said he really wanted to hear from the constituents during his travels.

“The challenges that they are facing,” he said. “But also the ideas that they have and that’s something I’m always inspired by when I’m out and about in Saskatchewan.”

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When he was at Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation, he discussed economic development and tourism with chief and council. Meili said they have some great ideas when it comes to the outdoors and Indigenous culture that could really draw in people who want to learn about the region and culture.

Not only did Meili speak to them about economic development, but an overarching theme of his journey to the Batoche constituency was renewable energy.

“I think there is a real role for the provincial government to help facilitate that transition,” Meili told northeastNOW. “Help people to lower their bills by producing more of their own energy close to home, or using less energy in their homes and as well, use that opportunity to put a lot of people to work in an industry that lasts.”

He added the wind project proposed by Beardy’s near Wynyard, could be a big help in the renewable energy sector.

The NDP leader also said that these trips are important so they can work together with the constituents to solve the problems they have.

“Every place is different, yet there are common issues,” Meili said. “People are facing struggles with affordability, there’s real concerns around education, real concerns around the ability to have health care available and we need it. There’s common issues and, for me, it’s just so important that we do more than just point fingers at the federal government, and instead we tackle our problems head-on with plans that we build by working with the people of areas like this.”

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6