Reeve Greg Sawchuk comments on dealing with UCP government as opposed to NDP

The change in provincial governments from the NDP to the UCP in 2019 has meant change for municipal governments as well.

When asked about dealing with a different government on important files, M.D. Reeve Greg Sawchuk said the access to ministers has improved on The Morning After.

“We’ve actually found our access to the ministers to be very good. And as far as dealings there’s a difference, right. We also now have an MLA that is in government versus the opposition. And that does change things as well,” he said.

In recent weeks, the M.D. of Bonnyville has dealt with the provincial government on the ID 349 file, rural municipalities paying for policing costs, and the Family Resource Network changes.

Sawchuk said he does think improvements could be made on how the province communicates their side of the story.

“They seem to be very reactive. And so you will see a cut come down, but not the teeth or the details. I think that should be out there right away. Instead, you have the opposition and those that are affected, fighting back very loudly. Instead of getting ahead of the story, I think they’re on their back foot all the time,” he said.

MLA David Hanson became the representative of the newly formed Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul riding in April. Scott Cyr was previously the MLA.