CANORA - Carla Beck, leader of the official opposition, accepted the invitation from local organizers and spoke at the Canora-Pelly NDP Association Hard Times Potluck and Annual General Meeting at Rainbow Hall in Canora on Nov.17.
Beck, who was elected as Saskatchewan NDP leader on June 26, said in her close to five months on the job, the position has exceeded her expectations, especially “in the energy I get from meeting with the great people of this province.”
The visit to Canora was part of Beck’s effort to visit as much of the province as possible. She said a large part of her focus is on connecting with residents of small towns, including Canora and surrounding area.
“My offer is to work with people in rural communities and listen to them, instead of dictating to them.”
Beck said from her discussions in rural areas, the major issues facing small-town residents that need to be resolved include: the staffing crisis in the health care system, the need for a provincial bus service, improving rural connectivity, and finding ways to help small communities to grow in areas where they excel.
“We can have such a great future here in Saskatchewan,” continued Beck. “We’re rich in resources, both human and natural resources. We’re a province of hard working, creative people, and we’re stubborn when we need to be. There are so many opportunities, whether it be agriculture, tech innovations, tourism, hunting, fishing, the list goes on.”
