By Sarah Rae

Keeping campaign promises highlight of session for Battlefords MLA

Jul 4, 2016 | 5:05 PM

Being able to act on promises made during the election was the legislative highlight for the Battlefords’ MLA.

Herb Cox, Battlefords MLA and environment minister, said keeping the promise to not raise taxes despite a difficult budget was a strong focus in his time during the 26 day session.

“I think we had to make difficult decisions and there certainly was some belt tightening involved,” he said. “We’ve taken care of as much as we possibly could and there really wasn’t a whole bunch of changes.”

Cox said despite inheriting an infrastructure deficit, the province is continuing to build by investing in infrastructure to support the growing population.

Constituents in the Battlefords can expect significant highway repair in coming years.  

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“We’re still committed to fixing our highways,” Cox said. “Over the next four years we’re committed to spend $2.7 billion and then on top of that the first three years we’re putting another $70 million extra on that just to try to catch up.”

As environment minister, Cox said the province made several important advances for Battlefords residents, one of which was a $100,000 commitment to help fight invasive species such as zebra mussels.

Next session, he said he’s looking forward to continuing to act on campaign promises and pass some of the nearly 40 bills introduced.

“That will be important, to get those through into legislation and just continuing on some of the work we’ve been doing,” he said. “That’s going to mean we continue to curtail as much government spending as possible and yet continue on with infrastructure and the programs that we feel are necessary.”

Cox said he’ll be in the Battlefords over the summer to meet with residents and address any concerns. 

Sarah Rae is battlefordsNOW’s court and crime reporter. She can be reached at Sarah.Rae@jpbg.ca or tweet her @sarahjeanrae. Concerns regarding this story can be addressed to News Director Geoff Smith at 306-446-6397.