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.
The race to occupy Northern Saskatchewan's seat in Parliament is on, with candidates for the three major parties traveling throughout the region to drum up support. Earl Cook of the New Democratic Party, Al Ducharme of the Liberals, and Jeremy Harrison of the Conservatives are vying for the votes of Creighton and Denare Beach residents in the Churchill River riding. Come election day on June 28, each will try to take the seat from current MP Rick Laliberte, who was elected as a Liberal in 2000 but has chosen to run as an independent this time around. Earl Cook Health care and roads are among the important issues on the mind of NDP candidate Earl Cook, a La Ronge resident. On health care, he wants to see a greater degree of cooperation between the provinces and Ottawa, which he accused of underfunding the system. "When we look back in history, we were able to do much more when the federal and provincial governments worked in partnership," said Cook, who worked as a health strategy coordinator for the Mamawetan Churchill River Health District but now campaigns full time. In the New Democrat's view, road projects in the region deserve a larger contribution from the federal government. He said one such road leading to Fort McMurray, Alberta, would open up more employment opportunities to northern residents. If elected, Cook vowed to do more to establish programs to help young people Ñ a significant segment of the Churchill River population Ñ fulfill their potential. For years a proud New Democrat, Cook said he is in favour of every aspect of the party's agenda, including its controversial support of same-sex marriages. "That's their business and I live my own life," he said of gays and lesbians who wish to tie the knot. Cook, a Metis fluent in Cree, is a familiar face to a number of Creighton area residents, having lived in Flin Flon and Creighton in the mid-1970s. Al Ducharme When the Liberals learned MP Rick Laliberte would not again accept the party nomination, they turned to former teacher and principal Al Ducharme, also of La Ronge. His platform addresses many northern concerns, including a desire for more employment opportunities. To help create jobs, he proposes more investment in mineral, oil, and gas exploration, and to work to address the soft wood lumber crisis. See 'Health' P.# Con't from P.# Ducharme, now an aboriginal issues consultant, said job creation is particularly important in the region given its "over reliance on social assistance" and an "explosive population growth of our youth." "If we don't provide opportunities (for youth), we will face major problems," said Ducharme on his official Web site. On health care, he said more must be done to address health issues facing the region, such as diabetes and alcohol abuse. On crime, he said Canada needs "a justice system that recognizes the inherent role racism, prejudice and discrimination has played in arriving at our present state of affairs." All in all, Ducharme feels it's time for change in the Churchill River riding, and he believes he is the candidate to deliver it. "We need to have the government departments responsible step up to the plate and be prepared to make decisions on policy and funding that will make a difference," he said. Jeremy Harrison Meadow Lake's Jeremy Harrison, the Conservative Party candidate, sees health care, gun registry, same sex marriage, and crime as some of the key issues in the riding. The University of Saskatchewan-trained lawyer views his party as the only way to "real change" this election, starting with health care. "I supported the recent National Health Accord between Ottawa and the provinces and its effort to restore some of the Liberal government's health care cuts," the one-time infantry soldier said on his Web site. "I believe that no one should ever be denied needed medical care because they cannot afford to pay." Harrison wants to scrap the controversial gun registry, maintain the traditional definition of marriage, and see the nation take a more hard-line stance on crime. "As a lawyer, I have seen firsthand the disgraceful state of our criminal justice system," he said. "I know our justice system is a revolving door Ñ it endangers our citizens by putting repeat violent offenders back on the street." Harrison is a strong supporter of tax cuts, eliminating "corporate handouts," and "unleashing the private sector to create jobs, generate wealth, and boost productivity." Churchill River, the only rural riding in Western Canada held by the Liberals, has been designated as a high priority by the Conservatives. "It is time to demand better in northern Saskatchewan," Harrison said. Other candidates Current MP Rick Laliberte, elected as a New Democrat in 1997 and reelected in 2000 as a Liberal, told reporters he is running as an independent in part because of a lack of support from his party. Laliberte lives in Beauval. Regina's Danny Robilliard will represent the Green Party, which promotes itself as "fiscally responsible, socially progressive, and committed to environmental sustainability." 2000 election Here is how the Churchill River riding voted in the 2000 federal election: Rick Laliberte, Liberal Party: 9,856 votes or 41.8 per cent of the popular vote. Kerry Peterson, Canadian Alliance: 7,679 votes or 32.6 per cent of the popular vote. Ray Funk, New Democratic Party: 5,141 votes or 21.8 per cent of the popular vote. David J. Rogers, Progressive Conservative Party: 755 votes or 3.2 per cent of the popular vote. Brendan Cross, Canadian Action Party: 143 votes or 0.6 per cent of the popular vote.
