The NDP is calling on the provincial government to choose pools and people over politics.
This comes after a saga between the provincial and federal governments over infrastructure funding, that included Regina-Wascana MP Ralph Goodale call on the province to choose the Wascana and Maple Leaf pools project in Regina in their list of projects, with Premier Scott Moe reacting by accusing Goodale of using the community culture and recreation funding for his election campaign.
Municipal relations critic Trent Wotherspoon said saying the province has other projects to consider is political nonsense.
“There’s significant dollars that have been extended by the federal government to then be cost shared and partnered by the provincial government, and in this case we have a provincial government that just hasn’t done their homework,” Wotherspoon said. “It was almost a year ago that they signed this agreement on infrastructure with the federal government, but it was just six weeks ago that they actually submitted their proposals.”
Wotherspoon said the NDP is advocating for other projects as well, but these pools are important.
“What’s really just bizarre in this circumstance is we actually have a federal government that’s listened to the leadership of the city of Regina, the residents of Regina, and have extended support for very important pools,” Wotherspoon said. “We have a province now that’s saying ‘no, that’s not on for them,’ and they’re making a political fight over these two pools that are very important to the people of Regina.”
Wotherspoon also called out other members of the Sask Party government for their silence on this issue.
“We find it strange that the Sask party MLA’s in Regina are silent on this,” Wotherspoon said. “We find it strange that they’re too weak to stand up and speak for the importance of this infrastructure.
“We know that this is a government and a Premier who have been poor in understanding the needs of Regina.”
In a release, deputy Premier Gord Wyant said there are 23 applications related to swimming pool development, and would hope the NDP would join them for advocating for all projects rather than just one in Regina.
