The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Two years after taking office, Clarence Pettersen continues to grow into his role as Flin Flon MLA. The Reminder caught up with Pettersen for a conversation on an array of topics. **** REMINDER: You have said that you consider area cottagers to be Flin Flonners and that you support the formulation of a 'fair agreement' that would see them financially support the City of Flin Flon. What would you say to cottagers who do not share your opinion that they are Flin Flonners and cannot see how any agreement involving their money going to Flin Flon would ever be 'fair'? PETTERSEN: We have to distinguish between true cottagers and those people who have built their primary homes in the cottage areas where they pay no taxes at all. They pay a basic fee, which is comparable to what the true cottagers around them pay plus a $500 annual Chief Place of Residency fee, both of which go to the province. The true cottagers maintain primary residences in Flin Flon and pay their taxes there. I've always said I'd fight for a fair agreement, but this current situation where we have no agreement at all is not fair to the people of Flin Flon, or to the province of Manitoba. I recently chaired a Legislative review committee on the Bill to amalgamate some rural municipalities, which has made me think about connectivity. When I look at the City of Flin Flon and the cottage owners, the connectivity between them is based on a shared history and proximity. Many cottagers work in Flin Flon, own businesses there or have retired from jobs there. See 'Drawing' on pg. Continued from pg. What's different from past years is the fact that many now have permanent homes at the lake. It is impossible to live just outside of town without drawing on the city's resources: the use of roads, shopping facilities, and recreational facilities like the pool, hockey and curling rinks and schools. The lake residents also use the airport, and many choose to be buried in local cemeteries. Partly due to a change of residence from the city to the lakes, Flin Flon's in-town population is down by at least half, to 5,500. If every citizen lived at the lake, and didn't consider themselves part of the community, then where would Flin Flon be financially? I think we are all Flin Flonners and I would like to see proper fire and other services provided to all of our residents in our cottage areas with everyone paying an appropriate share for the services they receive. REMINDER: Does all this talk of Flin Flon city council potentially having to close recreational facilities, as a cost-cutting measure, make you nervous? Is there a role for the province to play? PETTERSEN: It goes without saying that I believe recreational centres are fundamentally important community places for families to engage in healthy activities. They provide positive outlets for our young people, and immeasurable benefits for families in terms of quality of life. Operating costs for recreational centres are the responsibility of Flin Flon's city council while provincial funding covers (some) capital costs. Our government has increased its ongoing funding to the City of Flin Flon from last year. We have increased our funding to the city as a whole because we believe in investing in northern communities. Of course, we recognize the squeeze city council is feeling. That's why we want to work with them to ensure the people benefitting from these facilities are paying their fair share. REMINDER: It has been well over a year since your government revoked a subsidy that, in part, maintained highway bus service between Flin Flon, Snow Lake and Thompson as well as a daytime bus between Flin Flon and Winnipeg. There had been talk that the private sector would solve this problem, but nothing has happened. Is this a dead issue? PETTERSEN: The province has moved to a relaxed economic regulatory scheme so that any company, municipality or non-profit that feels that it can make money and meets safety codes is able to provide this service. Last year our government tabled changes to the Charter Bus legislation that allowed for more freedom for bus companies that operate scheduled bus service to also operate charter bus service to ensure their viability in smaller communities. Since the changes to the intercity bus service, there have been four new companies offering service. We've had some limited success with Snow Ventures and Marcel Colomb First Nation, which both started new service operating from Lynn Lake. Nistes Muskwa is also operating a service out of Cross Lake. But unfortunately no one has come forward to serve our main and most essential routes. I understand the hardship that a lack of public transportation between Flin Flon, The Pas and Thompson causes families and businesses in our area. I haven't given up working to have service returned to more of our essential routes. REMINDER: Which part, if any, of your party's platform do you oppose and why? PETTERSEN: I'm able to support the full platform of our government, because I really believe that every NDP initiative is about the WE, rather than the ME. As a government, we want to make Manitoba a great place to live for all, rather than just some. (The second part of this interview will appear Friday).
