By TERRY PUGH
The provincial government is open to the suggestion that it provide some form of direct assistance to smaller municipalities in their efforts to encourage local economic development.
In response to a question by Saskatchewan Urban Muicipalities Association (SUMA) President Randy Goulden at the organization’s convention April 13, Premier Scott Moe pledged the government would follow up on it in the coming months.
“We appreciate the predictable and sustainable funding that the province provides municipalities through revenue-sharing,” said Goulden. “We also appreciate that the government is helping to open up markets for Saskatchewan products, which generates substantial economic activity. However, there is also a substantial need for local economic development. Smaller municipalities often lack resources to attract invesment on their own. How can the provincial government help foster this local economic develompent?”
Moe said the provincial government’s approach focuses on increasing the value and market share of Saskatchewan export products in markets around the world; and also strengthening partnerships with industry. He added there is an opportunity to include local communities in that partnership.
Noting the government is currently working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), the Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency (SHRA) and local community recruitment organizations to attract more healthcare professionals to communities across the province, Moe said this type of collaboration could also help build local economies.
“We can do the same thing in the ecomomic space,” said Moe. “It’s the logical next step to work together on this in a more substantial way.”
The 120th annual SUMA convention kicked off on Sunday, April 12 in Regina, and continued until Wednesday, April 15. Over 1,000 representatives from Saskatchewan’s cities, towns, villages, resort villages and northern municipalities attended the event.