By Nigel Maxwell

Agriculture, health and roads on the minds of P.A. voters

Apr 24, 2011 | 3:58 PM

Health care, highways, and agriculture are issues that weight heavy on people’s minds in the Prince Albert riding.

This central Saskatchewan riding, found in the transitional area between the aspen parkland and boreal forest biomes, includes the cities Prince Albert and Melfort as well as the communities of Tisdale and Nipawin.

According to Elections Canada, there are 52,000 eligible voters in this riding.

At the Golden Grain Bakery in Melfort, the issues on peoples' minds vary almost as much as the selection of fresh doughnuts.

Rick Shermans owns a local trucking company.

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“Infrastructure for roads is the main issue for me, for the tax dollars to be going into re-building our roads. We've got some crappy highways.”

Other people in the coffee shop said they would like to hear more what the candidates would do to improve health care and hire more doctors.

Agriculture is a major industry in this riding.

Larry Adamko farms near Prince Albert, he also works at Farm World in the city.

He said government support programs have been lacking in support.

“Well last year, the flooded acres, and we are going to see it again this year. Fifty dollars an acre was promised to producers. In actuality, some of the farmers only received $12 to $13 by the time the money was all used up in administration fees.

Adamko also said his costs are climbing.

“We are seeing some great prices, but now with the prices coming up, you are also seeing the inputs come up right behind them.”

There are also several first nations within this riding including the Muskoday First Nation.

Gerald Bear works at the local gas bar. He said the health care system for First Nations people needs improving.

“I think a lot of our health care benefits are being taken away on us, which I think shouldn't be.”
Christina Vis, 18, is a student at SIAST. She is voting for the first time in this election and is excited about the opportunity.

She said she is hoping whoever gets elected has more to offer to help with the education costs, “helping with our costs in some way like tuition or housing or even like transportation.”

The Conservative candidate for this riding is Randy Hoback. Valerie Mushinski is running for the NDP. Former Zennon Park mayor, Ron Wassill, is the Liberal candidate. Myk Brazier is the Green candidate.

This riding has been blue for more than two decades. In 2008, Randy Hoback had more than 8,000 votes over runner-up, the NDP candidate, Valerie Mushinski.

The Prince Albert riding has a rich political history. Three former prime ministers have represented this riding: Sir Wilfred Laurier, Mackenzie King, and John Diefenbaker.

nmaxwell@panow.com