The Town and RM of Nipawin, along with representatives from the Villages of Codette and Tobin Lake, recently had a visit with the Prince Albert MP.
Federal Conservative MP, Randy Hoback, visited Nipawin on Aug. 15.
The point of his visit was to converse with local municipality leaders regarding the issues facing each community.
Nipawin Mayor Rennie Harper told northeastNOW about the impacts these discussions can have.
“It gave us an opportunity as a group to talk about some of the issues that are out there that we’re hearing. He might be able to help us and how he, as a federal MP, communicates with the province in each case.”
Some of the topics discussed included Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) projects, the water treatment plant, infrastructure, carbon tax, broadband issues and poor accessibility to internet services.
For Harper, she had some extra thoughts on staffing shortages across the country.
“I think the highest priority is we’re hearing lots from the businesses in our community and every community across the country, about the opportunities or ability to get employees,” she said. “Whether they are professionally trained, or just ordinary employees, everybody is struggling in business to find enough employees to hire to keep their businesses afloat.”
According to Harper, she was the only town representative who was able to attend, however, she still believed the trip was a necessary one.
With Hoback being more limited in face-to-face contact these past couple of years due to the pandemic, Harper explained the importance of getting to communicate with Hoback in a ‘more enjoyable’ manner.
“It’s always important to keep the flow of communication going, to have your MP understand what the issues are in your community. It is nice to sort of be in the same room and see people’s expressions two feet from you as opposed to on camera. It is nicer to be able to read and to interact face-to-face”
She said, however, that virtual has worked in a pinch and that Hoback has been very good in reaching out.
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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter @BenTompkins_8