Premier Scott Moe (left) and Melfort MLA Todd Goudy (right) took part in a provincial cabinet meeting at the Kerry Vickar Centre. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

By Aaron Schulze

Moe in Melfort

Premier Moe and Saskatchewan cabinet talk with Melfort businesses and voters

Jul 17, 2019 | 5:45 PM

Premier Scott Moe and Saskatchewan Cabinet Ministers held a cabinet meeting at the Kerry Vickar Centre in Melfort.

The meeting on July 17 is one of multiple cabinet and caucus meetings being held across the province while the legislative session is adjourned until Oct. 23, 2019.

Moe called it an opportunity for him and other elected members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) to engage with residents and businesses across Saskatchewan.

“I think it’s been beneficial for not only the members of cabinet, but the caucus as well,” Moe said. “The added opportunity that we have this summer is to promote and engage with industry leaders and individuals.”

Moe said he and MLAs such as Todd Goudy in Melfort are meeting with residents and employers during this time. They are asking what they expect Saskatchewan will look like by 2030 regarding its employment, health care, and education services. He compared it to the Growth Plan for Saskatchewan: Vision 2020 and beyond.

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“2020 is almost here and we’re now embarking on a renewed plan for growth in our province,” he said.

Goudy said he’s thankful that Moe and the cabinet have taken the time to visit with residents and employers in Melfort and the area.

“They gave them all ample time to share what was going on in their businesses,” Goudy said. “There’s a lot of headwinds that don’t come from provincial government decisions, but it’s real headwinds that are causing some real concerns for the employees that work at some of our manufacturing facilities.

“Talking to the owners and managers, it really hits them. I think sitting through this meeting their biggest concern is the health and families of their employees. The manufacturers can share with the province anything they can do to help sustain themselves through this difficult time.”

Two rounds of layoffs by Bourgault Industries Ltd. – a seven and nine per cent cutback of its total workforce in November 2018 and March 2019 respectively – were examples of the headwinds Goudy mentioned.

Moe said maintaining and increasing the exports Saskatchewan is paramount – especially in the agriculture industry.

“They filter down throughout that industry to the manufacturing sector and that’s why it’s very important for us to advocate and support our federal government with respect to our international trade policy,” Moe said.

Moe said he and the caucus will have another meeting coming up in Prince Albert.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow