Infrastructure improvements promised

by David Fraser

The NDP has promised  to commit $100 million over the next four years to improving Saskatchewan’s municipal infrastructures. The money will be an addition to the $20 million announced earlier this campaign to progress provincial recycling.

 “We need to ensure that community investments continue to help in infrastructure, because it’s one of the huge demands and challenges that we have,” said Meadow Lake NDP candidate Helen Ben.

Ben thinks the money will help communities like Meadow Lake, which was designated a city in 2009.

“With that status you want to upgrade and make sure you have the required services in the area,” she said.

Darryl Hickie, who served as minister of municipal affairs for the governing Saskatchewan Party prior to the election call, isn’t sure how the NDP expect to pay for the infrastructure.

“Right now, I can say that we have maximized federal dollars allocated in the economic action plan to refurbish infrastructure,” he said. Hickie also said that once the federal deficit is at an acceptable level, further negotiations will be undertaken with Ottawa  regarding municipal infrastructure.

The government has increased its  revenue-sharing program with municipalities by $89.5 million over the past four years, and  Saskatchewan is maxed out on their spending with the federal government up to 2016, Hickie said.

Meadow Lake is slated to host the 2012 Summer Games, and the city has received $300,000 for improvements to sporting facilities according to the Meadow Lake Progress, the community newspaper. Just prior to the election call, the Government of Saskatchewan announced with partners a natural power plant that will create 300 jobs  in Meadow Lake.

In a constituency where the NDP and Saskatchewan Party are pursuing tangible victories, announcements such as this are seen by some as strictly strategic vote-grabbing.

For Meadow Lake resident Pat Beaulieu, the announcement is simply a political game.

“Its all tit-for-tat to me. I suppose there is a lot to be done, and if they’re talking about street lighting and roads, everybody needs help, (she/he) said.