Prince Albert Northcote candidate Nicole Rancourt (left) and Prince Albert Carlton candidate Carolyn Brost Strom (right). (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Budget response

Future Prince Albert candidates say provincial budget underwhelming

Mar 21, 2024 | 12:00 PM

Underwhelmed and disappointed are the words being used by two future Prince Albert NDP candidates to describe the provincial budget.

Both Nicole Rancourt and Carolyn Brost Strom said the government should do more to help struggling families.

“I know when I’m out talking to residents in Prince Albert, the top issue that’s discussed is the cost of living,” Rancourt said.

Noting power bills have been hiked 11 per cent in the past year, Rancourt suggested some relief could be offered there or even pulling back the provincial sales tax which has resulted in higher costs at the grocery store or when registering children for sports. She also suggested a break on the gas tax.

“We’ve seen other provinces doing it, and that would give a 15 cents per litre break for families and I think would really help families right now while they’re struggling,” she said.

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Carolyn Brost Strom, who is challenging Joe Hargrave in the Prince Albert Carlton constituency, said there was nothing new in the budget, adding it felt like the announcements for education and health care were simply repurposed.

Strom who has a background as a nurse said there were ample opportunities to repair what’s been happening in health care and education and to work with frontline workers to build relationships.

“That wasn’t addressed at all. Whether it was like a nursing task force or doing the right thing and ending this dispute with teachers,” she said.

Strom added her biggest takeaway from the budget is that there is a need for change in the province and a government with some fresh ideas.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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