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Defending dignity addresses exploitation
Magic show in Energy City
Alameda takes school curling title
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Issue 39
SERVING THE ENERGY CITY FOR 113 YEARS
www.estevanmercury.ca
Wed., Feb. 10, 2016 Mailing No. 10769 | Publication No. 40069240
NDP leader’s remarks indicate the race is on By Norm Park normpark@estevanmercury.ca
Duck Propulsion Ariadne Nagel participates in a duck race, at the Kinettes' Family Carnival, on Feb. 6. Proceeds from the event went to the Estevan Telemiracle. Photo Sam Macdonald
Local delegates had a busy schedule at convention By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca
Estevan delegates who attended the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention in Regina had a busy schedule, filled with meetings, workshops and other functions. Councillors Lori Carr, Trevor Knibbs, Dennis Moore and Kevin Smith were joined by Jeff Ward, who is the city manager and the acting city treasurer, for the convention from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3. “I couldn’t believe the size of the crowd in the one ballroom,” said Ward, who was attending the convention for the first time. “In the one ballroom, there were 481 delegates. That’s a very large group of people to have focused.” Much of the emphasis was on conflict of interest legislation, which has been an important issue for mu-
nicipalities, since the reeve of the Rural Municipality of Sherwood was ousted last year over a conflict. Estevan city council passed a bylaw last month to deal with how they handle such conflicts. “We’re just making sure that all public officials are on the same page in regards to conflict of interest, and making sure that they’re declaring when there may be a perceived conflict,” said Ward. Other sessions dealt with trade agreements for Canada and western provinces, and tendering processes. Delegates listened to a variety of speakers including Premier Brad Wall, who confirmed there would be a deficit in this year’s budget, and likely one for next year as well. “He did indicate through all the provinces, and all the people he has talked to, that the biggest
City manager Jeff Ward concern is with water and sewer projects,” said Ward. “Whether it’s water mains, water treatment plants or waste water treatment plants, I think most of these were likely developed at the same time, and they’re now at the end of their useful life.” Cabinet ministers participated in the annual bear pit session during the final day of the SUMA convention, and the opposition New Democratic Party attended the convention. “A lot of the questions asked did relate to health-
care, which is often the crux of the discussion there, but also infrastructure funding,” said Ward. “The federal government indicated that $1 billion would be paid out to Saskatchewan and Alberta, so everyone’s kind of waiting to see how this is going to be distributed.” The provinces are still waiting for answers to find out if the money will be doled out based on population, project or need. CBC political analyst Chantal Hébert was the convention’s keynote speaker. She provided an eastern Canadian’s perspective on the proposed Energy East pipeline. The delegates also went through their usual assortment of resolutions. One of the most contentious was whether vaping, which is growing in popularity as an alternative to smoking, should be allowed in public places. Resolutions ⇢ A2
The two Cams met over the supper table last Thursday evening in Estevan, and they appeared to be in agreement on all topics of conversation. Cam Broten, the provincial leader for the New Democratic Party, and Cameron Robuck, NDP candidate in the Estevan Constituency in the April 4 general election, sat down with about 65 other dinner guests, in the Royal Canadian Legion Hall, to talk politics. Broten was the keynote speaker for the combined dinner and the party’s annual general constituency meeting that followed. During a 20-minute address to the gathering, Broten covered a number of topics which he said, later during a media scrum, would become main cogs in their campaign. Broten began by admonishing the current Sask. Party government for running up unnecessary deficits, saying “they spent the rainy day funds on the sunny days.” He also alluded to the recent breaking story surrounding a convoluted and confusing land flip associated with the much publicized Global Transportation Hub near Regina that he said, “just doesn’t smell right, because the Sask. Party approved payment for land well above market value. So, at best, this is horrible incompetence, or at its worst, it could be a mess that we need to get to the bottom of soon.” Broten said he has observed changes of late in the Sask. Party that doesn’t fit the pattern that had been set earlier for the province’s premier. “The party has changed and Brad Wall has changed. He is no longer a grassroots guy. This is a government that has become comfortable, complacent and bureaucratic. They didn’t used to be that way. We are shining a light Deficit ⇢ A2
Cam Broten speaking at the NDP dinner in Estevan.
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