Westlock-St. Paul MP Brian Storseth was expressing disappointment last week over what he considered “unfortunate comments” regarding his involvement in securing funding for a proposed medical centre for St. Paul.
In a phone interview last Wednesday, he clarified he has been putting a lot of effort into securing funding for a medical centre, estimated to cost up to $6 million. When local MLA and Minister of Infrastructure Ray Danyluk made a Feb. 11 announcement that the province would contribute $2.5 million to the project, along with the Town and County of St. Paul’s contribution of $1 million each, Danyluk said that the federal government should contribute too, adding, “There’s a responsibility for all forms of government.” St. Paul Mayor Glenn Andersen also expressed a hope to see the MP put as much effort into securing funding for the project as the MLA did.
“It’s a little disappointing to see the minister take such a political tone,” Storseth said of Danyluk’s position. “It’s important that our two governments work together. There’s only one taxpayer at the end of the day.”
Storseth said he wasn’t elected to change the constitution, which dictates that health care is a provincial responsibility. The provinces have fought for autonomy when it comes to health care, he said, adding, “We don’t want Ottawa dictating health care to Alberta.”
However, he noted that providing health care for First Nations people is a federal responsibility and on that front, he said he was committed to trying to access funding through Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).
In response MLA Ray Danyluk restated his stance that, “All governments should be involved in something that is right. It’s going to be a building that works for the community… we shouldn’t be talking about whose responsibility it is, we should be getting together to support each other and talk about how we can make this happen.”
“The mayor needs to do his job and the things he’s promised,” said Storseth, adding that Reeve Steve Upham and Andersen have stated the project has support from Tribal Chiefs Ventures. Storseth said he would need a letter of support from Tribal Chiefs Ventures to work on securing INAC funding. However, according to Town of St. Paul CAO Ron Boisvert, Tribal Chiefs Ventures has not committed one way or the other in its support of the project.
Saddle Lake Cree Nation is not represented by Tribal Chiefs Ventures, but the reserve’s chief, Eddy Makokis, said at this time, Saddle Lake can’t give a letter of support to St. Paul’s medical centre project because it conflicts with the reserve’s own plans.
“I think you know, we’re just as big as St. Paul. I think we can be self-sufficient by ourselves here,” Makokis said. There is a medical centre on the reserve, and currently, two doctors work there, he said. One of the community’s members, a doctor, is indicating an interest in coming back to work at the reserve, Makokis said, adding he hopes that three or maybe four physicians would be practicing at the reserve by the end of the year.
Discussions are still underway on what the reserve should do for a medical clinic, whether it involves expanding the current facility or building a new facility, he said. However, he was emphatic on one point, stating, “If we’re going to support someone, we’re going to support someone that works with our people.”
Even though Storseth was aware that Saddle Lake would not provide a letter of support for St. Paul’s project at this time, he noted the clinic is one that is needed for St. Paul’s community.
“I do believe in this. I’m going to continue to work hard,” he said.
