The Lloydminster Rescue Squad will continue its work with the R.M. of Britannia following a Feb. 25 council motion.
A pair of petitions were presented to council during Wednesday’s meeting. One pertained to holding public meeting to talk about the rescue squad and the other to call for a referendum vote on the June 11, 2025, decision to cancel the rescue squad’s services.
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Council debated whether to keep the rescue squad contract and Reeve John Light explained they normally bring the information forward prior to making the motion.
“All we’ve done wrong here is sped the process up quite a bit,” he said.
He pointed to the discrepancy in the June 11, 2025, vote, leading to a close margin of passing.
“Instead of a four to three vote it would have been six to one or seven to zero. That makes a big difference,” said Light. “You got four to three, it looks like we’re not sure what we’re talking about.”
Coun. Joe Hufnagel says they voted with the information that was presented to them.
“I think the fact that all information that was given to us and provided to us from the government had us empowering our own fire department that we pay for to do it,” he said, noting this had a ripple effect in the community, leading to these two successful petitions.
“This is a household name within the community. It felt it had a ripple effect and that’s what we’re seeing here today,” he said.
While Coun. Elaine Newman says this is an opportunity to keep the rescue squad around.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing to have the rescue squad within this area because we have all our bases covered,” she said. “I think it’s a great opportunity here that we have to keep the rescue squad. They have 40 years experience. We don’t have to worry about training.”
Council passed a motion regarding the first petition to hold a public meeting about the rescue squads’ contract, something Coun. Spenser McGowan wanted to see held before the vote on rescinding the original motion.
“We need to have the public meeting so everybody has the correct information and then it has to go to a vote once everybody has the proper information,” he said.
Despite his comments, council voted in favour, 4-3, to rescind the original motion. Negotiations will now begin between the R.M. of Britannia and the Lloydminster Rescue Squad on a new three-year deal.
Norm Namur, Lloyd Rescue Squad Chief, who was at the meeting, was happy with the decision.
“Today was a great decision for the RM of Britannia,” he said. “I just have to go back to the board now and present that.
“We’re grateful for all those individuals that worked really hard to get to where we are today.”
Neil Geall, the force behind the referendum petition that led to the decision to rescind the previous motion, was also thrilled with the decision council made.
“I think they’ve made the right decision to move forward and reinstate the rescue squad,” he said.
Just after the meeting finished he pointed out he received a lot of positive feedback while he was canvasing for signatures.
“I found nothing but favourable responses when I went,” he explained.
The public meeting concerning the rescue squad and proposed upcoming legislative changes surrounding fire services will take place on March 19.
More information will be available on the R.M. of Britannia’s website and Facebook page.
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