Saskatchewan Party candidate Ryan Domotor hopes to bring his vast background in municipal government to what he hopes will be a new role as MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford.
Domotor has had his nomination in place for a while, and he is happy to finally be out on the campaign trail. But he admits with the COVID-19 pandemic it is a challenge — particularly when it comes to going door-to-door and meeting people.
“There’s always that protocol where you’ve got to take a step back with COVID-19, which is something you’re not used to, because when I come up to see you the first thing you want to do is shake your hand,” said Domotor. “But you can’t do that.”
According to his SaskParty campaign bio, Domotor is chief administrative officer for the RM of Mervin No. 499, a role he has served for the past 26 years.
Ryan has also spent 12 years serving as town councillor and deputy mayor in his home community of Turtleford, where he has lived with his wife Noella and family for 26 years.
“I just feel that I’ve gained resources, knowledge and developed relationships which will benefit me in assisting constituents and local communities going forward.
A run for provincial politics is something Domotor had in the back of his mind for a while, because he was raised in a family that was involved in provincial politics.
He also comes from a farming background, and “had a vested interested in our family farm” and feels that helped him in his role with a rural municipality because “that’s where I came from.”
Domotor is very concerned about issues facing the riding, which is heavily agricultural and oil and gas-based.
“We have a lot of oil development and I know down in the southern part of the province they do as well,” said Domotor, who noted the importance of getting the “pipelines going and the oil flowing.”
“I know the province is working to try and get those accomplished,” he said.
If elected, he plans to maintain the riding office in Maidstone, which is centrally-located.
He admits he will have big shoes to fill with the departure of Larry Doke who served as MLA for nine years.
“He’s has been very helpful and he is definitely someone to look up to for guidance.”
Domotor plans to continue to make the rounds of as many communities as he can, going into businesses and getting his name out there, including in communities in the southern portion of the riding. His campaign has already been to Wilkie, Unity, Cut Knife and had plans to hit the other areas of the riding as well.
What would your approach be for Saskatchewan to deal with and emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic?
“(The government has) taken steps in consultation with the chief medical health officer to address the pandemic and the risks associated with the COVID-19 virus. At the same time I know the government has worked hard to find the proper balance between protecting people and keeping as many businesses services and activities open as safely as possible. A higher percentage of Saskatchewan people have remained working throughout the pandemic than any other part of province in Canada. And I believe we were the first problem to announce the reopening plans and we now have the lowest unemployment in Canada as almost all of our economy is now open.”
What issues do you see as main priorities for Cut Knife-Turtleford if elected?
“I think priorities would include leading the economic recovery for Saskatchewan with COVID-19. But more specific to our constituency, I have been reaching out to communities and so far have received feedback from some community leaders. One thing that was shared is they would like the provincial government to at minimum maintain, and if possible enhance our existing healthcare services offered in rural communities.
“ I know being down in Unity [recently] I met with some leaders there, and they’ve been working on trying to develop a bypass on its side of town for several years due to the heavy truck traffic that flows through the community on Highway 21, which is a result of the truck traffic that is generated from industries that are close to the eastern boundary of the town.
“As I continue to visit communities I will take note of what’s important to them and try and work with them regarding their concerns.”
