Health care, education amalgamation dominates annual SUMA 'bear pit' session

Saskatchewan's mayors and councillors got a chance to ask Premier Brad Wall and his cabinet some tough questions this morning.

In what's become an annual tradition, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) annual convention ended with a bear pit session, where the province's political leaders respond to concerns from cities and towns.

Some of the most important issues identified were changes coming from amalgamations in the health care and education systems. 

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By the fall, 12 of the province`s health regions will be brought together in one province-wide super region. As well, the province has launched a review of the province`s K-12 education system, and is looking into the potential of consolidating school boards.

Both of those prospects left some mayors worried. Despite the extensive Perrins report with thousands of submissions, one mayor was worried the government had already made up its mind on the issue.

"If the decision has been made, why did the government waste everyone's time to do the submissions, but will not listen to them?" asked Hafford Mayor Ron Kowalchuk. "When can we expect an answer from the government on any decision to change the structure of education?"

Education Minister Don Morgan responded, saying there was extensive consultation with people all across Saskatchewan. He said the province has not received the report yet, and it would be premature to talk extensively about it. 

"There were no decisions made ahead of time," he said. "We want to follow the process. We want to look and see what the people wanted to see."

Meanwhile, other mayors were worried about health care amalgamation, especially in northern Saskatchewan.

"We are very concerned," said Buffalo Narrows Mayor Bobby Woods. "We hear about the supports that we're going to lose. We hope that we can maintain our services and get better with that."

However, the province assured the mayors that front-line staff wouldn't be affected in amalgamation.

"I think to a large extent, that's unfounded," said Health Minister Jim Reiter. "This isn't about front-line staff. This is about management and this is about governance."

Another important issues on the table was provincial revenue sharing. For years, municipal governments have shared a pool of money equivalent to one percentage point of provincial sales tax revenues.

However, that formula could change. Premier Brad Wall told SUMA delegates that all provincial government spending is on the table, as the province attempts to slay a $1.2 billion deficit this year.

Towns and villages were also concerned about infrastructure costs associated with crumbling roads and water infrastructure.