Cockrill looks back on 2023 successes provincially and in the Battlefords

“Because of the types of industries that we have in this province and that really are our bread and butter, they’ve been really strong and that’s because…agriculture continues to be the backbone of our province’s economy.”

The minister explained while the province did experience some dry areas this year, other producers had large yields.

“When agriculture is strong, Saskatchewan is strong and we see that filter into our communities and continue to support the strong businesses all over the province – including here in the Battlefords,” added Cockrill.

Another area he celebrated was the mining sector and noted that the mining of uranium was going to put the province on the world stage.

“I think with Cameco’s acquisition of Westinghouse as well, Saskatchewan’s going to become a world leader really in the whole uranium supply chain and the nuclear supply chain by extension.”

Looking back locally

In the Battlefords, the area’s MLA spoke to the communities’ capital investments.

“The John Paul II Collegiate major renovation project is well underway,” he said, noting he was excited to see the space develop.

“It’s going to be really a fantastic space for students – for high school students in our community – and the industrial arts space, which should be opened up to students here in the new year is going to be fantastic in terms of the opportunities around welding and drafting.”

Earlier this year, it was announced that they are beginning planning work on the Battlefords District Care Centre to replace the existing building.

“That’s a 100-bed long-term care facility, it’s one of the oldest buildings in the province providing patient care, so it’s high time for a replacement so, it’s really exciting to see that project just getting started at the front end,” he said.

Other Battlefords-centric efforts Cockrill is proud of include mental health care initiatives like the new Poundmaker facility, free counselling to children and youth and the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs emergency shelter – formerly the Lighthouse.

“The Government of Saskatchewan stepped up and made sure there was funding in place so that that building could be purchased by BATC so that the shelter can continue to run,” he said of Miwasin Kikinaw.

“We talk a lot about supporting people who are dealing with mental health and addictions challenges in their lives, and I think – I don’t think – enough people know quite frankly, there’s some amazing free counselling services available, really across the province, but right here in our own community.”

Of all the initiatives from this past year, the one of which Cockrill is most proud is the recruitment of health care professionals – though he admitted retention continues to be a challenge.

“Our community is actually one of the communities that has benefited the most from some of the incentives we’ve put in place around recruitment,” he said of the Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive.

The program offers up to $50,000 for three years of service to high-priority health care workers such as nurses, lab technicians and lab assistants.

“Through that program, we have filled 52 positions here in the Battlefords,” Cockrill said.

Of the retention challenges, the minister said part of getting people to stay is making sure they’re supported, both at work and in their community.

“Part of retention is continuing to recruit and make sure that empty positions are filled so that there isn’t undue stress on people that are on the team,” he said, adding that the province has worked hard to ensure compensation for health care workers is competitive across western Canada.

“To be able to be…very close to or on par compensation-wise and have a lower cost of living, I think that’s a huge opportunity for people in the health care space.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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by Julia Lovett-Squires

Cockrill looks back on 2023 successes provincially and in the Battlefords

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