Local News
Bridal recaps successful trip to Ottawa
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Mayor Al Bridal recently joined a delegation of Saskatchewan municipal leaders on a trip to Ottawa to discuss infrastructure funding partnerships. On Sept. 30, Bridal travelled to the capital alongside six other Saskatchewan mayors. The delegation also included Minister of Government Relations Eric Schmalz, Minister of Advanced Education Ken Cheveldayoff, Saskatchewan Party chief of staff Gene Makowsky, a Saskatoon city councillor, and representatives from the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM). Bridal said the trip was productive, with the group presenting a funding proposal that asked the federal government to contribute one-third of the cost for major infrastructure projects—matching contributions from both the province and municipalities. “We went as a united front with the province, and we didn’t go with empty hands,” said Bridal. “The province said they would put up a third of the funding. The municipalities—including cities, towns, villages and SARM—said they’d put up a third. So we’re asking the federal government to come up with a program where they could put up the final third.” Bridal noted the approach was well received by at least one federal minister. “I won’t say it on the record, but there are some other provinces that quite often ask with their hand out without offering any funding of their own,” he said. “(The minister) told us we need to keep this conversation going and continue to engage with the federal government on how they can support municipalities.” During the trip, Bridal advocated specifically for federal support toward a new aquatic centre in Swift Current. “I told them how much money it would cost, what we’re willing to contribute, and what we've already done as a community,” said Bridal. “The Southwest Facility Foundation has raised—what I believe is—$5 million toward the project. They know we’re doing our part, but we just don’t currently qualify under any federal funding program.” Bridal said he is waiting to see whether the province will organize another trip to Ottawa, but plans to continue lobbying efforts locally in the meantime. “I don’t think my going alone would make much of a difference,” he said. “I’ll be talking with our MLA, Everett Hindley, and I’ll also follow up with the two ministers who were part of the delegation.” He also plans to attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) convention next June in Edmonton. “With this connection now—asking for funding for the pool—I feel I need to be there,” Bridal said. “One of the ministers we spoke with in Ottawa is an MP from Edmonton, so it makes sense that she’ll be at the convention, and I’ll take the opportunity to speak with her again.”