Selected Issues for 2022
Access to Net Care
Although the hospital in Lloydminster has access to Net Care (online patient records) in Alberta, the clinics on the Saskatchewan side of the border do not have access to Net Care, and this poses a problem with information sharing between hospitals and treatment centers in the provinces. Further, Saskatchewan licensed doctors are denied access while taking on Alberta patients.
Bi-Provincial Challenges
Lloydminster faces many challenges being a bi-provincial city. The issues can be complex and vary from industry to industry. Issues range from healthcare funding, patient record sharing, covid regulations and supports, funding of infrastructure projects, funding of social organizations and educational institutions, bi-provincial trade, taxation, business issues and more. The issues are massive and difficult for non-profits, volunteers, and businesses to manage. Also, our bi-provincial challenges cannot be managed off the side of someone’s desk. Lloydminster stives to be a seamless city and it is never ending work that needs to be constantly monitored and advocated for.
PST on Lodging
Lloydminster has always strived to be a seamless city. Whether businesses are located on the Alberta side or Saskatchewan side, businesses should be able to compete on a level playing field. Hotels on the Saskatchewan side of Lloydminster are required to charge and remit PST, where their Alberta counterparts are not required to charge and remit PST. Hotels in Lloydminster Saskatchewan have raised concerns that they are losing a substantial amount of business to Lloydminster Alberta hotels due to PST.
Public Transportation
Various residents of the community, such as college students, senior citizens, low-income individuals, and immigrants, require a form of public transportation to access education and employment destinations. The City of Lloydminster has a population of 31,3771, a community of this size should offer public transportation to its citizens. A first stage pilot project of public transportation should be introduced.
Saskatchewan Funding for Policing in Lloydminster
The Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce supports the City of Lloydminster’s efforts in obtaining, from the Province of Saskatchewan, funding support under the Targeted Policing Funding Initiative in order to support and enhance the crime reduction and prevention strategies in the City of Lloydminster.
Social and Affordable Housing Strategy for the City of Lloydminster
The City of Lloydminster does not currently have a municipal housing strategy that would assist the City and/or community-based organizations to develop a meaningful and relevant plan to create social and affordable housing units and access federal and provincial funds to build such units.