MLAs Nadine Wilson, third from left, sits next to fellow MLA Joe Hargrave at a meeting with P.A's construction members Friday. (Twitter/Mark Cooper Saskatchewan Construction Association)

By Glenn Hicks

Building Matters

P.A. contractors meet with local MLAs

Feb 28, 2020 | 6:22 PM

Members of the Prince Albert Construction Association met with local MLA and Minister Joe Hargrave and fellow MLA Nadine Wilson in P.A. Friday to discuss their concerns and hopes about an upturn in their sector. While representatives said the mood of the talks was positive there were no commitments from the members of government.

President of the association Ryan Court said he heard assurances that their concerns were being noted but the MLA’s didn’t reveal what was coming in the March budget. However, there were indications of some good news.

“I’m optimistic to what will be released in this year’s budget for projects in Prince Albert,“ Court told paNOW after the private meeting at a local hotel.

He added there’s hope of progress on projects like the new $60 million arena and aquatic centre and perhaps the hospital, but while the MLAs seemed upbeat there were no specifics. There are skilled contractors and trades people who have been laid off in the area eager to be part of these potentially big projects, he said.

Not for the first time the annoyance of the PST on construction projects came up, something the industry, municipalities and opposition New Democrats have said is hurting an already recessed sector.

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“It came up several times,“ Court said. “We asked for a possible removal of the PST, or even having a rebate of some sort once the project is completed back on the PST that we’re putting forward to the end consumer.”

paNOW spoke with minister Hargrave following the meeting who said he was optimistic of some significant work in the city to be available this calendar year but could not get into details.

“Things are looking better down the road. We have projects that are coming to fruition: we’ve announced the two new rinks and aquatic centre and the new hospice,” he said. He then added, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, “rumour has it that there might be some work at a hospital here pretty soon.” However, not for the first time Hargrave gave no sense of timelines other than to say he was hopeful an announcement was coming soon.

As for the ongoing concerns about the PST Hargrave said he took the association’s counsel on the matter and would look at their ideas and “see if we can make them work.” But he could give no assurances.

The SaskParty government announces its 2020 budget on March 18.

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow