Moose Jaw mayor to lobby province to be new health authority location

It’s a lofty goal that some might shrug off as “pie in the sky” thinking, but Mayor Fraser Tolmie is ready to start campaigning.

Tolmie has been asked by the local economic development committee to try and convince the provincial government to locate the new Saskatchewan health authority in Moose Jaw.

The plan is to amalgamate all health regions into one new body and Tolmie believes Moose Jaw’s got a good chance to be the organization’s new home.

“We have to highlight the potential that Moose Jaw has and the growth potential that we have.” said Tolmie when asked why the city would be a good fit. “We’ve got a new hospital and Valley View is looking to eventually close down, so what’s wrong with looking at Moose Jaw.

Tolmie says Moose Jaw has watched provincial government jobs slowly move out in recent years and locating the new amalgamated health authority in the city would be a good showing, especially when you consider our location in the province and the new Dr. Wigmore Hospital.

No changeover date was included in the report from the province on deciding to go with one health authority but it’s anticipated that a move to start the process will be planned for the fall.