Local economy, internet, and education highlight Carrot River Valley candidates forum

When asked by a constituent about what they’d do to bring jobs to Hudson Bay and fix the town’s “crumbling infrastructure,” Bradshaw focused on the Weyerhaeuser Mill restarting and the town’s new school that opened in 2015 during the Sask. Party’s government reign. He did add Highway 55 from Carrot River through to Red Earth Cree Nation would be tendered if the Sask. Party formed government.

“That highway will be done, which will definitely help move product toward The Pas. It will be made into a primary highway,” Bradshaw said.

McCorriston said he’s committed to opening a constituency office in Hudson Bay, and the NDP’s plan would allow local contractors to help install solar panels on peoples’ roofs; he sees the opportunity for a solar panel business to start in the town.

Education related to internet

Considering online classes becoming more apparent amidst the coronavirus pandemic, a constituent asked Bradshaw of what the Sask. Party’s plan would be to improve internet and cell service in Northeast Saskatchewan.

Bradshaw said the Sask. Party government and school divisions made laptops available to families who couldn’t afford them. He said the Sask. Party increased K-12 operating funding by 38 per cent compared to 15 per cent growth in enrolment, and 57 schools have been built during his party’s government.

McCorriston rebutted the NDP would hire more teachers, educational assistants, and caretakers to reduce class sizes, and use SaskTel to ensure all of Saskatchewan can be covered with high-speed internet and cell coverage.

“I find it odd, in schools, we can have gatherings of 35 to 40 people in a classroom, yet in a public gathering we can only have 15,” McCorriston said.

Bradshaw criticized the NDP’s record of shutting down schools and how they plan to hire more teachers and assistants without building more schools.

Single biggest issue in Carrot River Valley

Bradshaw believes the biggest issue that needs fixing in the constituency is being able to move Northeast Saskatchewan’s product – including grain and lumber – out properly via rail.

“We’ve had some problems through the ports on the West Coast,” he said. “What we want to do… is to support [the Port of Churchill]. We need to have another outlet not just for grain and lumber, but oil. I’d like to see more value-added production with our grains, such as what’s being talked about and worked on in Tisdale. Let’s see more crushing plants and more finished product out to market. I believe we have to run through more than one or two ports.”

McCorriston believes the largest issue is understaffing in healthcare, long-term care, and education.

“Since COVID-19 hit, the understaffing in long-term care homes has become worse,” McCorriston said. “Because they were relying on some of the family members to help with some of the minor care… that’s no longer available with lockdown in these long-term care homes. We’re seeing the stress of the long-term care workers as well. There needs to be more staffing, and that’ll create more economic activity in the small towns as well. It’s to grow ourselves out of this debt left by the Sask. Party.”

The entire 60-minute all candidates forum can be viewed online.

The 2020 Saskatchewan general election is Monday, Oct. 26.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow

by Aaron Schulze

Local economy, internet, and education highlight Carrot River Valley candidates forum

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