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Rising living costs concerned Cumberland MLA in 2017

Jan 5, 2018 | 4:00 PM

The rising cost of living in the North was a cause of concern for Cumberland NDP MLA Doyle Vermette in 2017.

“Everything is going up, and when you look at it at the end of the day, the government is supplying less to the people and we’re paying more,” he said. “The cost of living is just unbelievable.”

With the 2017-2018 budget released in April, Vermette said raising PST to six per cent while adding it to previously exempt items has only made living in the North more difficult. Some have told him they’re finding it harder to pay for rent, utilities and food, he said.

“When you look at the North and some of the challenges northern people are facing, we’re a very strong, proud people and I’ve seen that from many of our leaders and citizens,” Vermette said. “They know this government is ignoring them.”

Vermette said he was also alarmed by the lack of action the government is taking on issues such as wildfire management, mental health and affordable housing over the past year. He wants officials to start listening to northerners more and actually follow through on their ideas, he said. With wildfire management, in particular, Vermette said constituents have the knowledge to make a difference.

“We have the experts. They live off the land, they’re trained and ready to go,” he said. “And, this government, when it comes to the wildfire management plan, just doesn’t listen to them. You hear the frustration in many of the people.”

Heading into 2018, Vermette said the NDP Opposition will continue to work forward in a positive way. Trappers have asked the NDP to make the price for licenses more affordable, he said, so they can continue their way of life.

“If you’re 65 and you’re a senior, you don’t have to buy a fishing license in Saskatchewan to fish,” Vermette said. “I’ve asked in Question Period, and we’re going to continue to work with the minister of environment to try make it fair, so our trappers don’t have to pay for their trapper’s license when they’re 65.”

 

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno