Conservative MP Gary Vidal is in the La Ronge area meeting with local leadership. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

New MP

Crime, drugs and vandalism among issues raised with new Conservative MP

Nov 25, 2019 | 4:41 PM

Recently elected Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River Conservative MP Gary Vidal is currently in the tri-communities meeting with local leadership.

“One of our goals is to reach out to a number of community leaders across the riding, and kind of engage them and build a relationship with them and understand what their challenges are in my new role,” he said. “Our purpose for now is to get out and engage folks, and tell them a bit of our vision for how [I] want to serve the riding as their member of parliament.”

Vidal arrived in the tri-communities early today and he already met with Air Ronge council and has plans to meet with La Ronge council this evening. He noted he reached out to the Lac La Ronge Indian Band council, but was unable to arrange a meeting with them.

Air Ronge Mayor Gordon Stomp stated a number of issues were brought up with Vidal, but there was a focus on crime, drugs and vandalism. Stomp mentioned it’s important the new MP is aware of the situation local residents are facing.

“I appreciate him coming and making his presence known, but we also know his position in the government with the opposition in a minority government,” he said. “He’s making an effort to touch base, talk and be acknowledged to the communities he has not much experience with.”

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Last week, Vidal noted he met with leadership with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, R.M. of Meadow Lake Reeve Timothy McKay and representatives with NorSask Forest Products Inc. He plans to reach out to the leadership of more communities in the coming months.

With MPs back at the House of Commons on Dec. 3, Vidal has already found an apartment to rent in Ottawa and has participated in various training sessions to learn his new role. He will also be in Ottawa from Dec. 1 to 13 and he expects to take part in even more sessions.

“People have been really positive,” Vidal said since he became the MP. “Just everywhere I go, people are very encouraging and very supportive and congratulating me.”

As for the location of his constituency office, Vidal mentioned there will be one in Meadow Lake but he’s unsure if there will be other offices including in La Ronge. Former NDP MP Georgina Jolibois had offices in Beauval, La Loche, La Ronge and Meadow Lake.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno