Justice, Forrest residents have their say

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This article was published 07/08/2025 (184 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Over the next few weeks ahead of the Spruce Woods byelection, the Sun will talk with people in communities around the riding on what’s important to them and the area.

JUSTICE — Elton Reeve Ches Bollman is asking the provincial government for more money so municipalities can operate properly.

It’s hard to keep up with rising costs, Bollman said, and municipalities don’t make enough money on their own.

“We don’t have the money, because the costs have gone up so much the last few years to do roadwork and every other thing like that,” Bollman said. “It’s hard to keep up.”

The Sun talked to people in Justice and Forrest on Wednesday about their concerns ahead of the Aug. 26 byelection, and what they want the province and their future MLA to do going forward.

Bollman, who lives just outside of Justice, said every municipality has problems it’s dealing with, but they have to prioritize everything because there’s never enough money to work on all projects.

The reeve added that health and veterinary care needs to be stepped up — not just in Westman, but across the province.

He said the government needs to make it easier for veterinarians to become qualified here.

“I think the government needs to refocus,” he said about allowing both foreign vets and health-care workers to practise in Canada.

Bollman added the area is in need of more people who can operate ambulances.

“I think if you get hurt, you’re better to get somebody to drive you than wait on an ambulance, because God only knows when they might show up.”

Laurissa Fleury, 34, had specific things the province should do for the town, which revolved around safety.

Fleury, who has two young kids, said the province should reduce the speed limit along PR 468 in town.

“I have my two littles, and we’re right on the (main) road,” she said while picking up her mail at the town’s post office. “People rip down here going like 100 (km/h). It’s supposed to be 70, but I think it should be even less than that.”

She said the provincial government should also put up some children playing signs along the gravel road, as her children are often riding their bikes around the small community.

Fleury added the province should be doing even more for reconciliation between cultures.

“That’s a huge thing that should be addressed and could be addressed better.”

Wally Bieganski, 74, said he thinks the NDP is doing a good job overall, and that there isn’t really anything too big that needs to be improved in the area.

“I don’t know of anything spectacular (Premier Wab Kinew’s) done, but he hasn’t done anything wrong either,” Bieganski said outside his home. “Things are just going OK.”

The provincial government could do a better job at helping the nation combat tariffs, he said, although that isn’t something necessarily related to the byelection.

Over in Forrest, RM of Elton employee Kerry Moorehead, 60, also had concerns with speeds in town, the main drag is also currently at 70 km/h. Elton Collegiate and Forrest Elementary School sit on either side of Highway 10.

He said police should be more active in town, which would in turn slow down traffic.

“I live right in town here, and lots of times that 70 zone doesn’t really mean 70, it would be nice to slow the traffic up,” Moorehead said.

Roads around the area also need to be maintained, he said, and the province needs to stay on top of it.

“If you don’t have good roads, you’re not going to get people to come out to your community.”

» alambert@brandonsun.com