Bingo! The push to re-elect Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young gained steam with the grand opening of her campaign office in the old bingo hall at 4207 40th Ave. on Oct. 7.
Young took a moment to thank her supporters and talk about how healthcare is shaping up to be a top issue for constituents in the Oct. 28 provincial election.
In Pierceland, for example, Young says a decision by Alberta Health Services (AHS) to block Saskatchewan residents from seeing doctors in Cold Lake and Bonnyville has left residents in the lurch.
“Because now AHS said, no longer; it’s a struggle for them because they are driving to either Meadow Lake or Lloydminster or Saskatoon which is quite a distance,” said Young.
Young noted she successfully lobbied to bring an ambulance to service to Pierceland and Goodsoil in 2022 and promises to advocate for a potential clinic a couple of times a month if re-elected.
The replacement of Jubilee Home in Lloydminster is also an election issue and a project Young will continue to strongly advocate for.
She hopes the government will prioritize the construction of a long-term care (LTC) home on the Saskatchewan side of Lloydminster.
“In Lloydminster, I know there are waiting lists,” said Young.
“More importantly, I get to hear from families. Even though we have spaces in some of our small rural communities where folks can be placed, it becomes tough for families to visit on a regular basis.”
It was recently reported by the Meridian Source, there are roughly 30 people in the region waiting for a LTC space.
Young says Jubilee Home is old and was built to provide services that are different from those needed today for residents.
“Our health minister (Everett Hindley) when he was here, recognized we need to modernize to serve our seniors at different stages of their aging,” said Young.
She also expects more progress, if she and the Sask Party are re-elected and a planned meeting of health ministers and officials from Alberta and Sask. takes place in Lloydminster in early January.
Young says Lloydminster Hospital expansion and rejuvenation is one of topics on the plate.
“I have been in this community for 38 years and have seen us go from a population of 14,000 to about 35,000 and serving 150,000 with the surrounding area,” she said.
“And we’ve never seen a significant expansion in services to the hospital.”
Young says crime is the big issue in rural communities and affordability with most voters.
“There’s been an affordability platform being put forward addressing our students, seniors and families,” said Young who is gunning for her fourth term in office.
Premier Scott Moe has promised to cut personal income tax and raise the low income tax credit in his election platform.
Young was first elected to the Sask. Legislature in a 2014 by-election and re-elected in the 2016 and 2020 provincial elections.
This time around, she is running against NDP candidate Adam Tremblay and Regina resident Patrick McNally from the Green Party and she likes her chances.
“I’ve had very positive reactions at the door and out in my rural community,” said Young.
She says her nomination was last November and prior to that she did a lot of work meeting folks out in rural areas.
“So I believe I have a strong sense of support out there from my rural constituencies,” said Young.
She also has no thoughts about this being her final term in office if re-elected.
“I just want to be re-elected to continue advocating for my constituents and try to accomplish a few more things for this community and the constituents,” said Young.
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