Campaign trail leads Cook-Searson to Saskatchewan’s Far North

Liberal candidate Tammy Cook-Searson wants to hit every corner of the Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River riding during her campaign, which is why she was door-knocking in the Far North earlier this week.

“[I’m] just trying to get to the communities, meeting people at their doors, hearing from them what they want to be worked on, and just getting out there and working hard,” she said. “I’ve been going from morning to night every day.”

During her time in Black Lake Denesuline First Nation, Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation and Stony Rapids, Cook-Searson stated an issue that arose was the North of 60 land claim agreement involving a dispute involving land in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Earlier this year, the federal government ended negotiations on the 20-year-old land claim and Cook-Searson noted leadership she met with want the Liberals to re-open negotiations.

Other issues Cook-Searson was presented with in the Far North include the need for additional housing or renovations. Overcrowding remains a serious concern, as well as the need for more infrastructure and subdivision development. She mentioned there was also talk about the need for mental health and addiction services, along with a request from Black Lake for a CT-Scan X-ray in the community. Leadership also mentioned the needs for changing federal funding models to be more relevant to present populations.