MLA Doyle Vermette is involved with petitions in Creighton, La Ronge and other communities. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Provincial Politics

Vermette supporting three petitions in Cumberland riding ahead of spring session

Feb 12, 2020 | 5:05 PM

When politicians return for the spring session of the Legislative Assembly next month, Cumberland NDP MLA Doyle Vermette will have several petitions to serve the government on behalf of northerners.

There are three petitions Vermette is currently supporting throughout the riding such as enhancing cellular service along the Hanson Lake Road, advocating for a long-term care facility in Creighton, and a walking and bike path linking Air Ronge, La Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band reserves. Vermette is supportive of the petitions because he said it gives government notice about the needs of the residents in those areas.

“This way they can’t say they weren’t aware of it,” he said.

Vermette noted all three issues have been raised by local leadership for some time. For instance, he said many communities are affected by the lack of long-term care and cellular service. Vermette added leadership from Creighton, Denare Beach, Deschambeault Lake, Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay have expressed concerns about those issues.

For those currently accessing the Hanson Lake Road, Vermette said cellular service in non-existent and that puts residents at risk if an emergency occurs.

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“It’s such a long stretch of road,” he said. “As far as traffic, you have some traffic, but you never know.”

Vermette also noted Creighton currently doesn’t have any long-term care services, along with other communities in the region. Those who require long-term care have to relocate to Flin Flon, but he said that requires residents to change their address from Saskatchewan to Manitoba. Long-term care is also an issue in La Ronge, Vermette said, adding there’s a critical shortage of beds throughout the North.

With more long-term care beds, Vermette said northerners will be able to stay in their communities longer and be close to loved ones.

“Our seniors have done the good work,” he said. “They worked hard and have done their part. We need to now take care of them, and the Sask. Party government needs to take care of our citizens.”

Vermette has also thrown his support behind a walking and bike path from the Lake Country Co-op Food Store in La Ronge to an area by the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre. He commended the Northern Sustainability Action Committee for advocating for the path.

“We were hearing about safety issues from my office that they were raising to us about people being hit on the highway,” Vermette said.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno