MyLloydminsterNow has reached out to the 14 candidates running for the six positions on Lloydminster City Council in the November 13 city-wide elections. Here are the views of Jason Whiting.
Question 1: Tell me who you are.
Whiting: I grew up in Lloydminster on a farm just outside of town and have always called Lloydminster home. Even while living in larger centres such as Edmonton or Brisbane Australia, I still knew Lloydminster was going to be where I would end up. I went to school at Queen Elizabeth, ES Laird, and Lloyd Comp. Every Sunday we went to First Baptist Church. I took swimming lessons at the outdoor pool before we had the Leisure Centre. My first job was at the Coop grocery store when it was downtown. I’ve been able to watch our community evolve and grow throughout my life and look forward to continuing to encourage the growth and prosperity of our city through my continued input on council.
Question 2: Why do you want to be a city councillor?
Whiting: My long history and involvement in Lloydminster through several boards and organizations has given me the pleasure of being truly connected to our community. This connection with the added benefit of eight years of experience on City Council gives me the opportunity to provide a wide view of the diversity of topics that a city council must deal with. It is a steep learning curve when first elected to city council and the learning never really stops due to the diversity of topics that are presented to council.
Question 3: Colleen Young, candidate for the Saskatchewan Party has said, “Our hospital was built for 15,000 people back in 1986 and has not seen significant expansion. Previous ministers of health have recognized the need to expand the hospital in order to serve patients better. That is another aspect that I would like to see done.”
What are your thoughts on a new or expanded hospital in Lloydminster?
Whiting: Yes, we as elected officials and as concerned citizens, need to continually advocate the other levels of government to ensure we have adequate levels of healthcare as well as facilities to meet the needs of our region. The expansion, or at very least the renovation of our hospital is a priority and although it doesn’t truly fall on the municipal government to make the final decision in this area, our mayor has done great work at getting both provincial governments to come to Lloydminster, sit at the same table and discuss the challenges of healthcare in a border city. I can promise that I will do what I can to advocate for improvements to our healthcare whenever possible.
Question 4: What is your plan to deal with homelessness and the unhoused?
Whiting: We have some very smart, experienced and committed individuals working hard behind the scenes to identify areas that could be improved or projects that could be initiated. It won’t be an easy solution, and I wouldn’t pretend to have a “simple fix” to the challenges of our taxpayers as well as those that the unhoused are facing. I do want to continue to support those that are working on this topic and if there are initiatives or decisions that are needed to be made, that those decisions are balanced with the cost that they may or may not end up on the backs of our taxpayers.
Question 5: What are your thoughts on dealing with crime and insecurity?
Whiting: As we continue to grow, unfortunately so does the opportunity for the increase in crime. I look forward to continuing to support our RCMP and working with them to assist in increasing their presence either with added boots on the ground or other internal supports. We also utilize peace officers to take some of the workload off our RCMP, and if we need to provide more funding to increase that area, it is something that this next council could look at.
Question 6: Final thoughts.
Whiting: I have been honoured to have served eight years on council and look forward to the opportunity to continue to be an advocate for our community and ensure our city continues to be a place that grows and is a great place to live.
