More doctors, more money for infrastructure projects, more high-paying businesses and more resources to address homelessness are the top provincial election issues the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce wants addressed.
CEO Rob Clark said it sometimes seems as if the provincial government gives Regina and Saskatoon preference on projects and resources, which prevents smaller cities like Moose Jaw and other rural communities from benefitting as well.
This oversight means the City of Moose Jaw, the chamber and other organizations need to lobby the province to ensure that the community experiences development and growth, considering it has many existing opportunities and amenities, Clark continued.
Two national rail lines, the Trans-Canada Highway and a municipal airport all run through or serve Moose Jaw, so there’s no reason why the community can’t have large business headquarters or production companies move here, he pointed out.
“We have everything going for us, but we don’t seem to be on the radar from … the provincial government … ,” Clark added.
The chamber CEO has been speaking with residents about health care and heard that many people do not have a family doctor. So, he wants to see the province encourage more physicians to move to smaller communities, which may include providing incentives or increasing the amount already given to ensure they stay.
Another challenges that residents will soon face is that many doctors are preparing to retire, so that is something the province must also address, he pointed out.
With education, Clark said the chamber appreciates the province introducing a financial literacy course for high school, which students must take — starting in Grade 10 — to graduate. He thought this program was “good news” since it would support young entrepreneurs with their future, while it would help families teach their teens proper financial actions like budgeting.
Meanwhile, the chamber says the province must provide more money for infrastructure projects in Moose Jaw, considering the city is facing significant financial pressures with upcoming projects.
“Probably the biggest thing is we just need some development in infrastructure,” Clark remarked.
If Moose Jaw had some type of big investment or development, that would give the community’s economy a boost, he said. Having a large tax base would “feed” the city’s coffers and enable it to pursue projects.
Also, the chamber wants to see the province address issues of homelessness, job-training programs and rehabilitation for people with physical or mental health challenges. Clark noted that such rehab programs can’t be for just two to three weeks since that won’t lead to long-term change , while job training would contribute to stability.
“There has to be something more. I know everybody is after each level of government to get something happening, but sooner or later, somebody’s going to have to step up,” he continued. “… we need some help and we need some support.”
When asked about the proposals that the Sask. Party and NDP have been putting forward during the election campaign, Clark critiqued the platforms and questioned why the Sask. Party in particular waited until now to suggest some of these ideas instead of implementing them months or years ago.
“It’s all just campaign noise. Hopefully they come through with it, but … I guess they just want to get back into power,” he added.
The chamber plans to hold a political forum featuring the provincial election candidates on Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Golden Nugget Arena on the exhibition grounds.
