Residents and business owners across the Lakeland are concerned about what is to come, and on Thursday, March 30, they voiced those fears with their elected federal and provincial government officials.
The event was hosted by the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, to provide the community a platform where they could meet their local MLA and MP, and express their apprehensions towards federal and provincial legislations.
“There are a lot of important things to talk about right now. People are worried about taxes that are already in place, what is going to be coming down the pipe from the current NDP government, what is happening on the federal level, and some people from a business point of view are very nervous. People aren't spending their money right now and they aren't investing in Alberta because there are too many question marks,” said Trevor Benoit, president of the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce.
He continued, “There's a lot of turmoil. A lot of people are disagreeing and are on completely opposite sides of the fence… There's a lot of negativity out there, so getting people into a room and informed is a great way to alleviate some of that tension.”
It was the current political climate that sparked the idea to host the event, and to allow local officials to answer questions and address concerns on what Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr described as a more “grass roots” level.
Cyr noted, “I can either sit in my office in my ivory tower, or I could be out with the people where their thoughts and concerns are, driving those concerns forward and making sure that the house hears those concerns.”
Locally, business owners and residents wanted to know more about the possible merge between the Alberta PC and Wildrose parties. Others wanted more information about the possibility of a federal law permitting marijuana use, how it would be regulated, maintained and monitored.
Budget cuts, the Building Canada Fund, changes to military equipment and NATO were also addressed.
“A lot of the concerns are around the fact that we are seeing businesses hurting in Bonnyville and Cold Lake, and we are not seeing a lot of activity from the provincial or federal government in terms of those concerns,” said Cyr.
Greg Sawchuk, owner of Muriel Creek Ranch House and chamber member, attended the event to meet with the officials and hear what they had to say about some of the local concerns.
“I think we should have lots of access to our local politicians. Just so they can hear from real people, rather than their own circle. Sometimes when you are in your own group for too long, you start to believe what they are talking about and you don't hear what the regular guy is talking about on the street.”
Fort McMurray-Cold Lake MP David Yurdiga agreed, stating he will take what he hears from residents back to Ottawa.
“You always have to listen to the grass roots. You have to listen to what is happening on the ground… so this is very important to hear what they are saying. How is it affecting their business and their family? That is what I have to bring back to Ottawa, is the struggles we are facing.”
The turnout of the night's event was a clear representation that residents and business owners are concerned, Yurdiga noted.
“When things are good, people sit back… When things go south, that is when people get concerned. When things are good, people are just enjoying life, but now, it's a matter of survival.”
