While unions were taking the time this past Labour Day weekend to celebrate their achievements, the Town of Kipling and surrounding region gathered for the Largest House Warming Party in Saskatchewan.

I’m certain many people have followed with interest the exploits of Kyle MacDonald and his red paper clip. His trade for a part in Corbin Bernsen’s movie, Donna on Demand, for a house in Kipling opened the door for this weekend of festivities.

The community, economic development officer, Mayor and Council, business district, volunteers and the many visitors who came to celebrate, deserve a huge hand for organizing such an orderly and well planned event.

Congratulations to Nolan Hubbard for securing the role in Donna on Demand.

During the weekend the community officially opened their new medical clinic. The construction of the clinic was made possible because the surrounding R.M.’s and communities joined together to raise the necessary funds to construct this much needed facility. As the M.C. pointed out, there are no provincial dollars in this building and the surrounding region deserved a hearty vote of thanks for their efforts.

The question may be asked, why would communities finance and build such a facility? As rural residents it is imperative that we take ownership of some of the services that are so essential for our communities to survive. Health care and retention of medical professionals is essential to our rural areas. I believe the availability of a spacious, modern well designed medical clinic plays a key role in attracting medical practitioners to set up practice in an area.

This past week, the Provincial government announced it will spend 25 million dollars to aid in the recruitment and retention of health care professionals in the province. While this NDP government is finally acknowledging that we are lagging behind in the training and recruitment of medical personnel, one has to wonder if this NDP government had heeded the warnings of the Sask. Medical Association when they called on the provincial government to adequately fund the Medical College in Saskatoon and the Sask. Nurses Union when they were calling for more training positions years ago, whether we would be facing this chronic shortage of medical professionals today.

I close this report by extending my best wishes to the students and teaching staff who have headed back to the classrooms. May this truly be a rewarding and inspirational year in the classroom.