SUMA conference concludes with bear pit session
The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) conference wrapped up on Wednesday with educational sessions in the morning, followed by a bear pit session for delegates to speak directly with the provincial government.
The hour and a half long bear pit session allowed SUMA delegates an opportunity to speak directly with the provincial delegates on the final day of the conference.
“It’s so good to see provincial government here and answering the questions to some of the decisions they might’ve have made but also to understand what the needs are in our communities so we’re very pleased with the last four days,” Randy Goulden, SUMA president said.
According to Goulden, the top three issues she heard about this week include infrastructure funding, mental health and addictions, as well as community safety.
“They’re very very pleased with the discussions that they’ve had, the engagement they’ve had with SUMA, with our board of directors but also with the provincial government and the leaders that have taken time to come and have those discussions with them,” she said.
Another topic mentioned more than once was truth and reconciliation efforts. Multiple delegates, including Prince Albert City councillor, Tony Head, spoke about the need for more consultation with Indigenous leaders when it comes to issues affecting their communities.
“I had asked the government to take a close look at some of the services that are lacking in our province, and to also consider the TRC’s recommendations on government actions,” Head said.
- Get the CTV News app for Saskatchewan breaking news alerts and top stories
Minister of Government Relations, Don McMorris, spoke to media following the session.
“We’re quite proud of our record on truth and reconciliation and the engagement of First Nations into the economy. We’ve got a number of programs, record revenue sharing as far as gaming profits that go to First Nations, FSIN, and First Nations organizations, Metis organizations as well,” McMorris said.
With another prominent topic being mental health and addictions, many highlighted the urgent need for more resources as rural communities struggle to keep up with the demand for addictions treatment; an issue that disproportionately affects Indigenous people.
“They highlighted some of the robust and growing economy but to me, I felt like they were lacking some of the social services that are required in our community to make a strong thriving community. I hope they refocus some of their attention to these much needed areas. You know, we’ve seen a lot of struggles and no improvements so my biggest hope is that they improve the system,” Head said.
Now, delegates are heading back to their home communities across Saskatchewan until next year’s conference, which will take place in Saskatoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Is it cold, flu or norovirus? Symptoms explained
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse
Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.
Ontario's police watchdog continues probe of high-speed pursuit involving fatal crash
The investigation continues into a collision that killed two grandparents and their infant grandchild during a high-speed police chase on the wrong way of Highway 401 east of Toronto.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.
London Drugs expected to give update on store status following 'cybersecurity incident'
Days after dozens of London Drugs locations closed due to a 'cybersecurity incident,' a spokesperson for the company says an update on the stores' status is expected Wednesday morning.
No criminal charges after 4 newborn bodies found in Boston freezer
A prosecutor in Massachusetts won't seek criminal charges against anyone, two years after four newborns were found in a freezer in a South Boston apartment.
Anger can harm your blood vessel function, study shows
Stress and anger can have a negative impact on cardiovascular health, studies have shown. New research points to just how the mechanism may work.