Prince Albert Carlton MLA Joe Hargrave in a file photo. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Cabinet shuffle

Joe Hargrave’s portfolios change

Nov 10, 2020 | 5:45 PM

Monday’s cabinet shuffle sees Prince Albert Carlton MLA Joe Hargrave become minister of highways and minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency.

Hargrave’s previous portfolio was as minister of Crown Investments Corporation and the minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI).

Hargrave told paNOW he hopes to be able to continue to work about issues he’s passionate about like traffic safety and combatting impaired and distracted driving in his new position.

“To me, to move over here is another good fit because highways is all about safety,” he said. “I think I can continue to continue to expand on the things that are important to me.”

While he’s still getting acquainted with his new portfolio, Hargrave said he’s excited about new passing lanes planned for two P.A. area highways.

Pa Votes 2024

LIVE: Results of the municipal election

11h ago

Missing persons

Prince Albert missing persons case approaches one year anniversary

15h ago

Shopting Little Red River

Shooting at Little Red puts two men behind bars

16h ago

“Those are huge big projects for us and are really going to help with traffic flow,” he said.

Maintenance of existing roadway infrastructure, including the Diefenbaker Bridge will also be important, he said.

Asked if he would advocate for a second bridge for Prince Albert in his new role, Hargrave said a cost sharing arrangement for the river crossing proposed by former premier Brad Wall was still on the table.

That agreement would see the City of Prince Albert, the provincial government and the federal government each cover a third of the cost of a new bridge.

Hargrave said he meets regularly with the mayor of Prince Albert and will continue to be open to conversation on the topic.

“We’ll see where [the city’s] at in the next couple years,” Hargrave said. “The city’s got some big expenses coming up themselves with the hospital, the aquatic centre, there’s lots of money to put in there. I’ll be meeting with the mayor so we can see what his feeling is on it these days.”

–

alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom