Province Offers Additional Support to La Loche
Press Release
Released on August 16, 2016
Premier Brad Wall returned to La Loche today to fulfill the province’s commitment of additional support to the community following the tragic shootings there in January.
“Since the terrible events of last January, the people of La Loche have inspired us with their resilience, unity and optimism,” Wall said. “Our government promised to support the community as it recovers and today we continue to meet that commitment. Working with local leaders, local institutions and the federal government, we are investing in a range of programming that will foster hope and opportunity and enable more residents to lead independent, self-sufficient lives. Together, we are building a stronger La Loche. And that’s good for Saskatchewan.”
“The community is pleased with the province’s response to our tragedy and we are grateful for the work that has been done to date with respect to the priority areas of education, health, housing and infrastructure,” Village of La Loche Mayor Kevin Janvier said. “We look forward to continuing this relationship to ensure that the needs of our residents are being met. This is just the beginning. There is still much work ahead for these subcommittees and I wish to encourage all participants to continue on this.”
Premier Wall announced the following new initiatives and investments:
- The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation is starting construction of a 14-unit affordable rental housing project in La Loche in the village’s new subdivision. The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, through the Investment in Affordable Housing (2014-2019) Agreement, are contributing $1.4 million toward the project.
- The Ministry of the Economy has invested $465,000 in two new training programs. Dumont Technical Institute and Northlands College will offer new Adult Basic Education programs, and Northlands will also offer a new Tri-Trades program in heavy equipment, truck and transport and automotive mechanics.
- The Ministries of Advanced Education and Education are partnering with the First Nations University of Canada to offer a new Dene Teacher Education Program (DTEP) for up to 30 students over four years, training local university students to teach local students. The province is contributing half of the $480,000 program costs, with the school division and First Nation covering the remainder.
- The Ministry of Education is working with the community and the Northern Lights School Division to develop the 2016-17 school plan, which will aim to improve outcomes for students.
- The Ministry of Health has hired an additional community mental health nurse to provide counselling and 24/7 on-call services, as well as a suicide prevention worker/community wellness worker who will start later this month.
- The Ministry of Justice is funding a second full-time Victims Services Co-ordinator, as well as a new half-time Community Justice Co-ordinator.
- Government Relations has completed an Official Community Plan for the municipality, and continues to ensure continuous liaison with federal authorities and provincial and community partners.
In addition to these new initiatives, the Province has worked extensively with the community of La Loche and made additional investments in several areas.
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For more information, contact:
Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916
Email: trish.alcorn@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-1479
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