Sask Party MLAs Joe Hargrave and ALana Ross (Submitted Photo/Saskatchewan Party)

By Derek Craddock

THE NEXT SESSION

‘Exciting times’: Local Sask. Party MLAs share thoughts on upcoming session

Oct 28, 2022 | 11:00 AM

With the legislature open for another session, the local Saskatchewan Party MLAs believe there are exciting times ahead for the province.

Joe Hargrave, with Prince Albert-Carlton, and Alana Ross, with Prince Albert-Northcote, shared their reactions to this week’s Speech from the Throne and what the Sask. Party government plans to do with this coming session.

“We got some serious growth in our province and we’re looking to make sure that that growth is there, and it works for everyone so,” said Hargrave.

Hargrave said he was pleased with the Throne Speech, believing it tackled some of the big issues facing residents of Prince Albert, in particular, how the province plans to deal with rising crime.

The provincial government announced plans to create a Saskatchewan Marshals Service which will assist local police agencies and RCMP.

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READ MORE: More warrant enforcement officers and Marshal Service to be created

The government also plans to add eight more warrant enforcement officers in Prince Albert and North Battleford.

Meanwhile, Alana Ross said the Throne Speech covered the big issues facing residents of her riding.

“We focused on healthcare, the economy, on affordability, and creating future opportunities in our province,” she said.

Ross pointed to developments in the city including the expansion of the Victoria Hospital and the upcoming re-opening of the local pulp mill as examples of what the government is doing to invest in the city.

Both MLAs also responded to the criticism of the Throne Speech and what the government plans to do.

Opposition members such as NDP leader Carla Beck and Independent MLA Nadine Wilson said the Throne Speech doesn’t go far enough, and that issues of health care and affordability we’re basically ignored. This was heightened by the announcement of the closure of SLGA liquor stores, which could put hundreds of jobs in jeopardy.

READ MORE: Nadine Wilson not happy with government’s Throne Speech

When it comes to concerns about healthcare, Hargrave said the government is already investing in that department.

“We’re recruiting more people to come in and they can basically hit the ground running pretty much. We’ve invested over $60 million in doing that so that’s pretty good,” said Hargrave.

“The plan to recruit, to train, incentivize, retain, that is so important,” added Ross. “We’re hiring another 100 new full-time positions in the province and turning another 150 part-time positions into full-time positions.”

Despite the critiques of the Throne Speech, both MLAs believe there are good times ahead for the province and they’re excited to see what the government delivers.

The Third Session of the 29^th Legislature in Saskatchewan is expected to run through May with a break in December over the Christmas holidays.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock