NOVEMBER 30, 2015

 

I was fortunate over the past week to be able to attend Agribition on parts of three days. As you all know, this venue attracts thousands of people from all over the province and is an excellent place for a politician to hang out and see what is on people's minds.


One of the questions I wanted answered was whether people thought I was being too hard on the Sask Party government with the PC Party's advertising campaign against the south Regina bypass. Not one person I talked to thought the south Regina bypass at $2 billion dollars was a good idea and no one thought the PC Party was out of line. In fact the response I received the most from rural people was to kick them harder. We certainly intend to do that.


On a final note about Agribition, I also attended the commercial cattle sale Saturday at noon to see what the prices of bred heifers were doing. It appears good quality animals are still fetching excellent prices. These animals are the foundation that producers work with to maintain and build their herds. Saskatchewan needs to increase its cattle numbers so we can meet the new opportunities in beef markets around the world. These good prices will ensure the long-term prosperity in the cattle business. It was good to see.


Rural health care is also rapidly climbing the ladder in people's minds and not because they are satisfied with the services provided. It's obvious that staffing levels and infrastructure surrounding health care facilities are really bothering people.


Later this morning, the Sask Party government will be announcing that the provincial deficit is growing. You can be rest assured that there will be further cutbacks - not at the top end where wages to the President and Vice Presidents of health regions have received large increases - but at the frontline work stations where vacancies won't be filled and people will be asked to make do with less.


Upon reviewing more of the annual reports from the health regions, it is obvious that our big city health regions are no different than the rural ones. We have large pay raises for executive types and yet our emergency rooms are back under severe stress once again. We had better not have a severe flu outbreak this year or we will be back to the situation where patients are lying around on temporary beds in the hallways because there will be no beds available.


Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon seems to draw the ire of a lot of people. It is the major hospital for much of Saskatchewan and its condition and operating efficiency is crucial to hundreds of thousands of Saskatchewan citizens. Thatdoes not seem to be the case when talking to people who have had to use this facility or visit their loved ones there.
Tonight I will be going to Canora to speak at the PC Party nomination in the Canora-Pelly constituency that was represented by Ken Krawetz for many years. Krawetz is not seeking re-election which means even more opportunity for the PC Party.


One of the issues that I have been briefed about before the meeting is the condition of various health care facilities in that area. It will be interesting to visit with people and get their first-hand accounts of their experiences in that health region. I am almost positive I also will be hearing about the condition of highways in that part of the world. The Sask Party's obsession with the south Regina bypass will mean less money and attention for rural highways which are crucial to the movement of people and commodities and public safety in this province.


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These issues must be debated for “The Right Reasons”.