Saskatchewan's Opposition leader Dwain Lingenfelter said there are two issues people are concerned with this summer as he and fellow New Democrat MLAs tour the province, the impact of severe weather, and health care.
Lingenfelter, who was in Yorkton last week with two of his caucus in what he said was a visit designed to help solidify who will seek the NDP nomination in the Yorkton constituency, said people are concerned about losses caused by heavy rains this year, in particular in hard hit areas such as the local city.
While Premier Brad Wall announced a series of program enhancements to the province's Disaster Assistance Program earlier in the week (see related story this issue), Lingenfelter said there are still concerns.
"We hear a lot of hurt out in the province because of the flooding We're still hearing lots of concern," said the NDP leader, who added they are trying to " help them through some of the red tape that exists."
Lingenfelter said while the changes to the DAP were steps, such as raising the maximum available to home and business owners, and reducing the deductible, there is still concerns about when people get their money. For those facing extensive damage, having to pay for repairs out-of-pocket before getting money through the program can be a hardship. He said most people do not have a lot of money sitting in an account to cover possible disaster damage expenses.
"They don't have a lot of cash put away in an account for a flood they never expected," he said.Farmers are also facing hardships beyond the support program announced earlier this year, said Lingenfelter.
"Many of them don't know how they'll make it through without more federal provincial dollars," he said, adding his party is calling for $100 an acre and $50 per head for cattle producers.
Lingenfelter said Premier Wall needs to lobby other Premiers at an upcoming meeting, so he can then go to Prime Minister Stephen Harper with a unified voice that there is "a need for more help than's been coming."
The flood though is still number two on people's lists, said Lingenfelter.
"Health care is still by far the number one issue," he said, suggesting those in rural Saskatchewan feel abandoned in terms of health care. He pointed to hospitals closed by doctor shortages as an example of the problem. " In rural Saskatchewan health care under Brad Wall is unraveling."
As for finding a local candidate, Lingenfelter said they hope to have nomination meetings not only in Yorkton, but in all east central ridings "by the end of the year," although he admitted they may not hit that target in every constituency, "but we'll be close."
Lingenfelter said he deems it important to have candidates in place early, so "voters get to know them," before the election in the fall of 2011.
