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Victoria Jurgens aims to give the north a voice with new role

Jun 15, 2014 | 11:51 AM

Victoria Jurgens has been given another hat to wear.

The Prince Albert Northcote MLA has been named the new legislative secretary for government relations (northern Saskatchewan).

“This new role is under the leadership minister of Jim Reiter, minister for government relations,” Jurgens said.

“I’m excited because the north is such a wonderful, complex, richly [diversified] area, and I might be biased, but I think it’s the most beautiful part of the province. So with that I think there is a lot of different aspects that can come out of it.”

The role of the secretary is to engage with residents in northern Saskatchewan and bring their concerns back to the minister and other ministers—something Jurgens said isn’t being done enough.

“As MLAs, when we get elected, our job is to be the voice of the people for the constituency that you’ve been elected to, so with being the leg secretary I can play a role in making sure that role is heard,” she said.

As for her exact plans to engage with the north, she said it hasn’t been worked out just yet.

“I’ve just been in my role for a week now and I’ve had a couple of phone calls where people want to set up meetings, so it’s just very early stages,” she said, adding it’s important for her to visit their communities.

Her focus includes more northern residents participating in the economy, and looking for more ways to support strong economic growth in the north.

“This is a great way to help our northern communities and the people, especially, to have their voice heard down in Regina.”

sstone@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahstone84