IT’S almost to the point we’re running out of fingers and will have to take off our shoes and socks to keep on counting up the number of provincial cabinet ministers who have visited the area since late summer.
In quick succession the energy and mines minister, the community, sport and cultural development minister, the transportation and highways minister, the environment minister, the social development and social innovation minister, the international trade and Asia Pacific strategy and multiculturalism minister and the natural gas development and housing minister have all touched down here.
(We’re not counting the aboriginal relations and reconciliation minister – John Rustad’s from Prince George and that makes him a neighbour.)
So what brings a good chunk of the cabinet to electorally-unfriendly area given that the northwest has elected NDP MLAs for two elections in a row?
Since there is no fall sitting of the provincial legislature, it might be the need for ministers to be seen to be doing their jobs – and rightly so. Getting out of the office is a good way to touch base with reality.
More certainly, it’s a matter of those three letters – LNG. With the northwest being strategically important to the development of the industry, the provincial government has suddenly found us on its map.
Expect those visits by cabinet ministers to continue.
