By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — While Premier Brad Wall acknowledges his government’s record isn’t perfect, on one issue he’s content to pass the buck: the weather.
Asked upon his arrival in Davidson whether he’d brought the snow and cold wind with him, the premier quipped, “That’s the federal government.”
Wall visited the area on Tuesday, meeting with local officials in Davidson and Kenaston, and touring several area businesses, as well as the Distance Learning Centre.
Speaking to the Leader, he offered his thoughts on several topics, including the recent federal election, in which the Liberal Party received a decisive majority.
Wall said he believed his government and the outgoing Conservatives had accomplished lots together, even if they didn’t agree on everything, but added he wants to work effectively with the new government and Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau.
He said he had spoken to Trudeau briefly by telephone following his victory, noting that he was around the same age as the new PM when he was first elected premier in 2007.
“As long as we have our priorities right, all the other priorities seem to be clearer,” he observed.
Wall said he had met with Wascana MP Ralph Goodale, the province’s sole Liberal MP, on Monday. He also said he hopes to meet with Trudeau once he and his cabinet have been sworn in to discuss some issues of importance, including the Liberals’ pledge to boost infrastructure spending across the country.
While much of that money will target specific areas like green infrastructure, social projects and public transit, Wall said he hopes some funding will be available to address needs in Saskatchewan towns and villages.
Accompanied by Arm River-Watrous MLA Greg Brkich, the premier first visited Kenaston, meeting with Mayor ML Whittles and Reeve Murray Kadlec of the RM of McCraney.
He then travelled to Davidson, where he met with Mayor Clayton Schneider, Bladworth Mayor Ron Bessey, RM of Willner Reeve Len Palmer, and Coun. Doug Gregor, representing the RM of Arm River.
Wall said he was meeting informally with local officials to determine priorities, noting that the greatest municipal issue across the province is infrastructure, with continued growth placing higher demand on aging systems.
He also visited several businesses in Davidson, including Young’s Equipment, Western Sales and Fast Toys for Boys, meeting employees and talking briefly with managers.
At the latter business, he accepted an invitation by president Terry Dieno to visit a nearby hangar to check out “Lou IV,” a P-51D Mustang fighter plane flown during the Second World War.
Dieno purchased the famous model several years ago and is having it painstakingly rebuilt, estimating the current progress at around 75 per cent.
The premier got a close-up look at the Mustang, peering into the cockpit, and also enjoyed touring Dieno’s collection of vintage Pontiac GTO muscle cars.
Wall said paying for infrastructure, health care, education and other needs requires a broad tax base, explaining, “We need a strong economy to pay for all those things.”
For the full story, please see the Nov. 2 edition of The Davidson Leader.