NDP leader Carla Beck was in La Ronge on Friday as part of her bid to form government on Oct. 28. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Election 2024

NDP discusses northern strategy in La Ronge

Oct 18, 2024 | 4:54 PM

In the last 10 days before the provincial election, NDP leader Carla Beck headed north to La Ronge on Friday.

She said that like she is hearing elsewhere, people in northern Saskatchewan are looking for change and her campaign is having some momentum.

“People are looking for change and that’s what’s on offer in this election,” she said.

One of the things she was talking about was her party’s strategy for the north. While many of the main concerns of northerners include access to health care, education and the cost of living, forest fire management is also a big worry.

Indigenous leaders spoke out this summer over how some of the wildfires that led to multiple evacuations were handled.

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“We have to improve our wildfire management in this province and that’s something we hear from northerners all the time. The ability to detect, to respond to fires early and making sure that northern residents have access to the training necessary to be part of that local wildfire response,” said Beck.

They heard similar concerns in Buffalo Narrows and La Ronge.

Northern residents face an even higher cost of living than people further south and tend to drive larger vehicles which means the NDP plan to pause the 0.15 cent provincial excise tax on fuel a major benefit, said Beck.

“Food security in the north is a big issue. Increasing funding for all schools in the province, that’s something that’s needed in the north as well.” she said.

Having school nutrition programs is a priority and they will work with First Nations to ensure that it is addressed.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com