Moderator Richard Ahenakew made sure all candidates stuck to their time limits. Left to right are Bill Powalinsky, Brittany Smith and Greg Dionne. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Election 2024

Prince Albert Mayoral candidates address homeless shelter, reconciliation and economic development

Oct 30, 2024 | 11:02 PM

Over 100 people turned out in person and another thousand watched online as the three candidates for mayor of Prince Albert spoke about their platforms at Carlton High School’s Cafetorium Wednesday evening.

Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce CEO Patty Hughes said they liked the format they chose for the forum and it turned out well.

“Absolutely it did go really well, other than a few technical difficulties which always happens,” she said. “Overall, candidates came fairly well prepared to present themselves and why they should be in that seat.”

Gathering from feedback they had beforehand, Chamber staff and board members anticipated about 100 people in person and Hughes said she saw well over that amount.

“I would say [people] were very engaged in this and so hopefully that will turn out to voters at the polls. I would encourage everybody that this is where you have a chance for your voice to be heard.”

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The Chamber prepared 10 questions in advance, gathered from the public who submitted them online or by email and allowed several questions from the audience at the end.

Each candidate was given the chance to introduce themselves, explain their platform and answer each of the questions.

Richard Ahenakew as moderator made sure the candidates stuck to their allowed answer times.

Recent hot button issues include where to locate a shelter for homeless people. The province has agreed to pay for funding but left it up to the city to choose a location, which has proven to be a problem as most residents support it – in another neighbourhood.

Incumbent Greg Dionne said he supports a shelter but won’t put it in a neighourhood where it isn’t wanted.

He said the city has proposed two locations to the province, but the government was reluctant to pay to bring in services. He suggested that the province might have to find the funds in order for the shelter to go ahead.

Bill Powalinsky said that a decision just needs to be made on the location by council and that more public education is needed on the benefits of having a shelter as they are proven to reduce crime. He would not support it in a residential neighbourhood.

Brittany Smith said she has seen too many things while running her real estate business and that addressing homelessness and crime needs to be a priority.

She attended the public meeting on the proposed location on 18th Avenue West and said what she heard was that residents weren’t satisfied that the plan would keep their neighbourhood safe.

Smith would increase the amount of security around a shelter from the city’s end.

One question that Hughes said was very important to the Chamber is that candidates address how to continue with reconciliation with Indigenous communities, given that the city’s population is almost 50 per cent Indigenous.

Smith was the first to answer and said that First Nations and Metis people need to have a voice and the city should work on increasing partnerships with those groups.

Dionne said Prince Albert has 65 acres of urban reserve within its boundaries and they hold many Indigenous businesses. The city sits on Indigenous government led committees and has Indigenous representation on their committees.

Powalinsky answered that it is a priority for him to increase the education of Indigenous youth and he supports the pillars of reconciliation.

Candidates were also asked about their approach to economic development with the example of the event and leisure centre in The Yard district.

Powalinsky’s response was that he supports the city building an event centre next to the current construction of the new ice arena and acquatic centre but the city needs to be mindful of its debt load.

He also said that city hall needs to assess how prepared it is for the large population increase that will come with the finishing of the hospital expansion and related jobs and other planned projects.

Smith said she fully supports it and is running on a business platform and she would like to see the city grow. When it comes to the overall economy, she said there is a lack of manufacturing.

Dionne said that next year, the city is poised to see another $742 million in development. He also broke down the current plan to fund the event centre, which has an estimated cost of $135 million.

The provincial government has committed to funding 1/3 of the cost and Prince Albert has built a partnership with some northern First Nations to share ownership in order to increase the likelihood of getting the federal funding.

For the $55 million the city would need to put out, $30 million would come from the private sector and they would budget for the remaining $25 million.

READ MORE: Candidates have been attending smaller forums elsewhere.

Candidates were asked 10 questions overall. Their answers can be seen by going to the Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page as they live streamed the forum.

On Friday, the ward candidate forum will be held at the same location and time but be slightly different because there are more people. Candidates will answer some prepared questions but the second portion of the event will be an informal meet and greet so the public can approach the candidates directly.

Wards 3, 6 and 8 are acclaimed. The general election is on Nov. 13. Information on advanced polls and mail in ballots are available on the city’s website under the PaVotes tab.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com