Matthew Klassen has served on term on town council. (Submitted photo/Matthew Klassen)

By Derek Cornet

Municipal Election

Klassen defends voting record, pledges to be honest and transparent if voted mayor

Oct 21, 2020 | 5:51 PM

La Ronge Deputy-Mayor Matthew Klassen, who has been a resident for 27 years, wants residents to know he’s wholeheartedly committed and invested in the community.

“First of all and most importantly, I commit to being honest, loyal and transparent in all actions,” he said if elected mayor Nov. 9. “Trust and honesty are two assets that I hold in the highest regard.”

There are a number of issues Klassen would like to address if given a second term in office. For instance, he wants to create a regional safety plan with collaboration from Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) and Air Ronge leadership to address crime and promote safety within the tri-communities. That will also be done with support from multiple provincial ministries and it should curb local crime and violence.

Klassen who also likes to promote regional economic development in sectors such as tourism and fishing, as well as work with Air Ronge and LLRIB to find a long-term, permanent solution to address homelessness. He believes the appropriate federal and provincial ministries should pay for costs associated with it.

“This is something that certainly needs all communities at the table, along with medical and social professionals,” Klassen said. “Social services are the responsibility of our federal and provincial governments. I do think our municipality should be involved in these discussions and in achieving this common goal.”

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During his first term on La Ronge council, Klassen was involved and ultimately voted in favour of several decisions that had an impact on the community. Some of his voting record includes supporting the Community Alcohol Management Plan and limiting the sale of alcohol and cannabis, supporting a nearly $1.2 million enhanced policing program with the RCMP, and voting in favour of a public health exception to allow non-critical travel into La Ronge during the pandemic in April.

Klassen also voted against rezoning a building to allow for a homeless shelter in La Ronge to relocate, and he voted to increase the speed limit on local highways. The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure decided to leave the limits as is.

“For the most part, my views have stayed the same on most aspects of how things need to be run and should be run,” he said. “Also, there’s always opportunities for those views to have evolved. When new information comes to light or you hear a new piece of information from a resident … I think you always have to be willing to reconsider your thoughts and do what is best for the community.”

The bylaw to regulate the distribution and sale of alcohol and cannabis is one Klassen is particularly proud of. He said data shows there’s been a decrease in substance abuse by nearly 10 per cent, alcohol-related hospitalization visits dropped nine per cent, alcohol-related injuries decreased 13 per cent and alcohol-related RCMP calls dropped by 13 per cent.

Klassen and his wife, Krista, have two children and he’s operated construction company High Mark Holdings since 2004. He’s also president of the Lac La Ronge Cottage Owners’ Association and is a past president of the Lac La Ronge Chamber of Commerce.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno