Mayor Gerald Aalbers has been elected Chair of the Saskatchewan City Mayor's Caucus. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Chair of mayors

Lloydminster mayor elected chair of provincial city caucus

Nov 26, 2020 | 10:00 AM

Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers will have even more on his plate this winter season.

Set to serve at city hall for another four years, Aalbers was elected by mayors across the province as chair of the Saskatchewan City Mayors’ Caucus (CMC). The election took place during the CMC’s online meeting on Nov. 24. As chair, the Border City mayor will also represent Saskatchewan’s cities on the executive committee and board of directors for municipalities of Saskatchewan.

The CMC offers a forum for all 16 city mayors in the province to discuss of concern affecting all members. Aalbers said it is a great honour to serve in this new capacity for a term of two years.

“I look forward to collaborating with our municipal colleagues in meeting all new and emerging challenges,” Aalbers said.

First elected to municipal office in Lloydminster back in 2016, Aalbers succeeds Moose Jaw Mayor Fraser Tolmie, who served as chair from 2018-2020. Elected to serve as vice-chair is City of Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig.

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Aalbers said being able to help lead a diverse group that still have many of the same goals as one another. One of his first concerns is fostering the relationships he has with each mayor and get everyone on the same page regarding CMC matters. This is particularly important for the five mayors newly elected to their positions in November, such as North Battleford’s David Gillan.

“Building a relationship is going to be critical for myself to get up to speed with those folks, so they understand me and I understand their concerns,” Aalbers said.

In Tuesday’s meeting, a number of issues were discussed with COVID-19 mandates and government assistance given priority. Aalbers said looking at government funding for municipal revenue sharing and the MEEP program remain important.

“We want to express to the government, ‘thank you,’ but we also need to discuss how we can keep moving the economy forward form our level, with their support,” he said.

Prior to running for mayor in 2016, Aalbers spent more than 30 years in the oil industry.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports