Source: Blake Lough, Global News, March 9, 2016
REGINA – Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall received a warm welcome at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) convention.
Wall used his time at the podium to recognize an industry he said has thrived in the midst of an oil patch slow-down.
“Agriculture has been this sort of unsung hero these past few years,” said Wall to the packed convention hall.
Wall said 2015 was the province’s second best year for agriculture export sales at $15.1 billion, with total crop production 12.9 per cent higher than the 10-year average. It is an industry Wall wants to bolster, hinting at upcoming announcements for rural roads and highways.
“One of the most significant investments we want to commit to if we’re re-elected is about infrastructure,” Wall said.
PC Leader Rick Swenson said improving rural infrastructure is long overdue.
“Our roads, our railroads…issues like that need to go in conjunction with the increase in production.”
Liberal leader Darrin Lamoureux believes infrastructure funding on a large scale can’t be accomplished with the Sask Party’s current rhetoric.
“You have to consult with all levels of government, including the federal government,” Lamoureux said.
“When [Wall is] being combative the way he has been, it’s not good for Saskatchewan. We’re going to need infrastructure dollars from the federal level, we’re going to need infrastructure dollars from the First Nations and Métis federation to match what we can put in to invest in our infrastructure.”
The reception at the SARM convention was not quite as warm for NDP leader Cam Broten, who admitted there have been slip-ups from party predecessors.
“I absolutely recognize the previous NDP government didn’t get everything right,” Broten admitted at the podium.
But the NDP leader shifted focus to rural social services, something he said has been neglected.
“The question people face whether they live in rural Saskatchewan or urban Saskatchewan is when the financial picture is tighter, who are you going to trust to stand up for the public services like health care and education we count on.”
Leader of the Green Party Victor Lau said health care is the biggest complaint he’s heard out of rural Saskatchewan.