Three of the four candidates running in the Weyburn-Big Muddy constituency answered questions from the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce to kick off the All-Candidates Forum on Monday evening, with issues ranging from how to deal with the current labour shortage to the proposal to twin Highway 39 and 6.

The candidates present for the forum held in the Comp Cafetorium included the incumbent MLA, Dustin Duncan of the Sask Party, Liberal Colleen Christopherson-Cote, and the NDP's Sharon Elliott. Candidate Al Birchard of the Green Party did not attend.

In regard to the shortage of skilled labour, the candidates were asked how they would address it, including what role the regional college might have.

Christopherson-Cote noted the Liberal platform is proposing to introduce 6,000 new apprenticeship positions in the province, then she told of a local example in Coronach how they were able to work with their major local employer, SaskPower, in setting up local training programs. She said they now have seven local youths being trained locally, and said more could be done, such as bringing in power engineering which is needed by SaskPower for their power plant.

Elliott said she met that morning with students at the regional college to talk about this issue, noting one student was a man who came here from Calgary to upgrade his education, and he talked about how good it is now to be in Saskatchewan.

Giving an example from a high school level, she told about a school in Saskatoon where students are able to learn a trade, and then they use that trade to work together to build a home for the Habitat for Humanity charity.

"I wonder if this could be adopted to here at the high school and college, and with local businesses. We have to have people working together, coming up with ideas to make a difference," said Elliott.

Duncan said as an alumni of the regional college, he recognizes the importance of it, and noted his party is proposing to increase the funding to colleges by 28 per cent. In regard to the labour shortage, he noted the shortage is being felt all across western Canada, and not too long ago the B.C. and Alberta governments met to discuss ways of dealing with the labour shortage, but Saskatchewan's government wasn't there.

The Sask Party will also have a program where a graduate will have up to $20,000 of his or her tuition costs rebated if they stay in Saskatchewan to work here for seven years after graduation. Similarly, they're looking to help young entrepreneurs who are just starting out with their businesses.

On the issue of twinning Highway 39/6, the candidates were asked what they would do as the MLA to promote it or help it become reality.

Elliott began by saying she wants to first gather all the relevant information relating to the proposal by the Soo Line Highway Corridor Association, including making sure that the government feels this corridor is essential.

"This will evolve with the cooperation among all three levels of government. We also need to use the latest technology," she said, noting there is an experimental stretch of highway where recycled rubber is being used in asphalt. If this works well and extends the life of the highway, then it ought to be considered for use in twinning this highway so it can handle the extra weight of the truck traffic.

Duncan said he met with the Soo Line Highway association, and has also talked with some legislators from North Dakota, noting twinning the highway wouldn't make sense unless it was also twinned on the U.S. side of the border.

"I also would say this is a long-term project, but there are short-term needs we have in this province," he said, adding the Sask Party is proposing to inject $1.8 billion into the highways budget. Giving one example of a local short-term need, he pointed out that McTaggart needs a turnout lane, and noted it's the only community between Regina and Estevan that doesn't have one.

Christopherson-Cote, who lives in Coronach, said she's amazed that everytime she comes to the Weyburn area, this issue is mentioned.

"I'm amazed this twinning proposal comes up in conversations all the time. Why is this a debate issue? You've been waiting for this for a long time. It doesn't make a lot of sense that there's no north-south trade route through Saskatchewan," she said, adding she has also met with the highway association. She added it's not just a Weyburn council issue, it's an issue that affects a wide part of the province, and involves many partners at many levels.

The Chamber also asked about the candidates' thoughts on the Saskatchewan Chamber's growth strategy to increase the population of the province and increase the economic development.

"Much of what they talked about, and their targets are similar to what our leader Brad Wall set out," said Duncan, adding that their proposed group, Enterprise Saskatchewan, would be put together to address meeting the same goals and targets for growth as espoused by the provincial chamber organization.

Part of their goal too is to reduce some of the current barriers to growth, pointing out as an example that motorists in Saskatchewan pay about $1 billion more in fuel tax than is returned to the Highways budget. Duncan noted that Saskatchewan Highways stated that 41 per cent of their highways are in poor condition and need upgrading. More investment needs to be made to bring our highways up to a good standard and would help encourage that growth.

Christopherson-Cote said the whole key for her and her party is access to service, and noted in order to meet the increase proposed by the Saskatchewan Chamber, there has to be better access to services like education and health care, which is not the case in rural Saskatchewan.

She said the other part of the equation is to attract and then retain those workers, and businesses, once they do come here.

Elliott said she also endorses the provincial chamber's plan, and said by working together as a province, it can be achievable.

She went on to point out all aspects of society have to work together, including municipalities, chambers of commerce, businesses, and various organizations, as well as new immigrants to Saskatchewan, First Nations and the higher levels of government, provincial and federal.