Todd Goudy is seeking re-election in the newly reconfigured constituency of Melfort. The Sask Party candidate has been the MLA since 2018. Goudy is a native of Melfort with strong area connections. Now, he’s making new acquaintances with residents of communities like St. Gregor and Muenster during the current campaign.
In our ongoing discussions with candidates, Discover Humboldt talked to Goudy about some of the key provincial and regional concerns hovering around education, health care and affordability.
Education
When it comes to the trials facing teachers, staff, students and parents in Saskatchewan schools around resources, crowded classrooms and complexity issues, Goudy feels it’s about building relationships.
“When we look at the lifeblood of education those 13,500 teachers that we have, the value that they play in the role of raising our children is extreme. We want to say how much we appreciate what they do, what all the staff do at our schools. Working with them and the school boards over the next few years is critical.”
Goudy says given the province’s growth potential, it’s imperative to sit down with teachers and boards to navigate the best ways to deal with growing pains is essential.
“We look at the future as a time to grow together, to collaborate, and to figure these things out. That’s something we understand needs to be done, and we’re looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and working together.”
Health care
Goudy looks to his home community of Melfort as a key concern with doctors seeking a compensation formula that will allow the province to be attractive to the medical profession, both in terms of recruitment and retention.
“We did sit down with the Ministers and the SHA, and did draft a new deal for a funding model in this community. When that was done, the doctors seemed very satisfied that weekends would work out better with our ER in attracting more labour to that market.”
Goudy remains concerned that not everyone in the area has a family physician, due largely to the shortage in rural areas.
“That is something we are very concerned about, and we are working very hard as a province, specifically in our area here.”
Affordability
“Certainly, what we’re hearing at the doors are affordability issues. Just the cost of living has increased since the carbon tax has come in across the nation. When you compare us with the United States, our costs have risen dramatically. I do know that our Premier’s fight against the carbon tax is one he won’t give up on and our party won’t give up on.”
If returned to power, Goudy says that a Sask Party government will continue working to keep people off the provincial income tax role based on income thresholds.
“In 2008, there was a drastic reduction in people paying provincial income tax. As well, some of the things for our seniors include the increase in the personal care home benefit.”
For parents, Goudy says that a re-elected Sask Party government would double support for parents with kids in sports. Policies for graduate retention are also part of the picture in retaining young residents and helping them with the costs of starting out.
Goudy says that encouraging trades entry is a key in keeping the growth going where local youth have job options, thereby ensuring a strong economy.
Summation
“As a politician, I would say that the number one thing is to be a servant for the people. These last three or four weeks have been a great opportunity to get at the doors and hear what people are thinking and what’s on their minds as far as what they’d like to see from their provincial government.”
Goudy reiterated the importance of health care and focusing on doctors for rural Saskatchewan. He believes that Melfort will be well served being its hospital is designated as a stroke centre, along with the newly agreed upon funding model.
“With education, our commitment is to work together with the parents, teachers and school boards to figure out that classroom complexity issue.”
Goudy also says there needs to be a continued focus on public safety with the key on controlling the flow of drugs and mental health supports for individuals.
He also addressed a need to keep working on area highways to support local industry and the relatively high traffic volumes along Highway 5 and feeder routes like Highway3 68.
Listen to the full conversation with Sask Party candidate for the Melfort constituency, Todd Goudy.