SASKATOON – La Loche Mayor Georgina Jolibois says she is looking to further the cause of the people of Northern Saskatchewan and be their voice in the province’s legislative assembly.
The former MP for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill is the Saskatchewan NDP candidate for the vacant MLA post for Athabasca in a Feb. 15 byelection.
Jolibois is running for the vacant seat formerly held by Buckley Belanger, who resigned last August to run as the Liberal candidate for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River in the federal election. Belanger lost to Conservative Gary Vidal.
Jolibois, who is a member of the Clearwater River Dene Nation, said a number of issues in the North need to be addressed, like health care due to the ongoing pandemic, and that is why she says it is important for the people there to be represented by someone who understands their problems and challenges.
“It is very important that we elect a voice, someone who can speak up for us here in Northwest Saskatchewan and not someone who can be just a puppet. I know the things that we’re challenged with, things that we need in our communities to assist us, to keep our kids and families safe. To keep everyone in our communities safe and [someone who can] work with government agencies in making sure that we find a balance in living among each,” said Jolibois.
“I'm not afraid to speak up, I want to speak up, and I want to help people. It is very important that in this election, you send me to Regina, so I can stand up for us on the Northwest issues. We are a voice and we can bring our issues forward, but I believe I'm the only one who can do this, who can bring issues forward on the Northwest to Regina.”
Jolibois said there are families — elders and youth — who have needed medical attention but could not get an appointment, like those who are waiting for surgery or those dealing with mental health problems.
“With COVID-19, there are a number of other challenges as well, like mental health and addictions,” said Jolibois. “The support required from COVID-19 as the underlying issue will be in the forefront … People are tired but we need good leadership, we also need regulations, we need guidance to keep everyone safe and find a balance living in our communities.”
She added that COVID-19 has created other problems in communities like housing and employment. Additional support to mitigate those should be addressed she said, as should the condition of Highways 155 and 905 that impact Northwest Saskatchewan’s economy.
NDP leader Ryan Meili said he is looking forward to having Jolibois join the opposition caucus, adding the people of Northwest Saskatchewan need to have someone like her who would stand up and speak for them.
He then chastised the Sask. Party of neglecting the people of Northern Saskatchewan since they came into power.
“They have not done the work to make sure that we build up economic opportunities for northerners. We [the NDP] give people the hope to see a positive future in Northwest Saskatchewan, and we make sure that services in education, and health and long-term care be made available for people living in northern rural and remote communities,” said Meili.
“Georgina will be a voice for those communities in Regina. She's worked as a member of parliament, mayor of La Loche, and she's an incredible local leader. I'm so pleased that she's our candidate to be an MLA.”
