Battlefords MLA Herb Cox is home for the holiday break period, after what he considers a productive fall sitting of the legislature in Regina.
While the fall sitting is over, the work isn’t. Cox said he is just getting caught up again with constituency matters, with a number of meetings scheduled for the week.
“I think we’ve had a good session,” Cox said, noting “some 30 pieces of legislation that we’ve introduced.”
One major highlight was amendments to the Fisheries Act, given Cox’s strong stance to keep quagga and zebra mussels out of the province’s waterways.
“That’s something I’ve worked on over the last few years,” said Cox.
The amendments will improve the province’s ability to respond to threats, and also help protect federally endangered aquatic species.
“We’ve got to stay on top of that,” said Cox.
Another major initiative Cox described was amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, which will see more regulation on vaping products. Vaping is something Cox has heard about frequently.
“That’s something that I’ve heard from parents and I’ve heard teachers, and actually even from principals of schools, that they’re concerned about that,” said Cox.
There have also been some changes to regulations for payment of child support, and also changing the Employment Act to increase parental leave.
Cox says he supports the continued stance by Premier Scott Moe in opposing a carbon tax and lobbying for pipelines.
“He’s also been travelling overseas trying to open up more markets for our products,” said Cox. He noted it was part of the province’s Next Growth Plan with intentions to open foreign offices to increase trade and exports.
The Battlefords MLA also talked about the province’s mid-year financial situation, which he said offers another balanced budget. Revenue is up about $3 million.
“We’re going to end up with about a $37 and a half million surplus,” Cox said.
“We said three years ago we were going to get to balance. We’ve gotten to balance, and that’s important.”
Cox also said that through belt-tightening was required to achieve balance, the services have continued to be provided.
“Since we’ve been able to form government, we’ve spent $9 billion just on highways construction alone,” he said. Another 10,000 kilometres of highways is going to be improved over the next 10 years as well.
The session was not without challenges. The opposition New Democrats have focused on the water issues at the new Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford.
“Yes, there were some problems with construction,” said Cox. “I understand the water testing is going on.”
He acknowledged the disruption for patients at the facility, but noted the benefits to taxpayers of the P3 build.
“The good thing is it was a P3 project and any of these problems that have arisen are the responsibility of the proponent, and they have to correct it. It’s not costing the people of the province any money.”
Now, Cox said, he is working on a wide range of constituency matters.
“That’s our job, to get in touch with the minister’s office and try to be the conduit between here and Regina. And that’s what we do here every day.”
Cox made clear he still intends to be active in looking after constituency concerns as the MLA right to the election, despite his announcement he is not seeking re-election.
2020 will be Cox’s final year serving as MLA for the Battlefords. A nomination meeting has not yet been scheduled to find a replacement for Cox on the ballot, although Cox said he expects something will be set up sometime in the new year.
Once the election takes place Oct. 26, Cox will be “riding off into the sunset.”
“Its been an honour, it’s been the best eight years of my life, so far, the most rewarding,” said Cox.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to do my job until the last day. That’s what I’ve committed to do and that’s what I’m going to do.”
