The Swift Current & District Chamber of Commerce established a committee in early 2025 to facilitate productive, ongoing dialogue among all four levels of government on key economic and regional priorities impacting Southwest Saskatchewan. The initiative brings federal, provincial, municipal, and rural leadership into the same room on a regular basis, an uncommon approach in Canada.

The Chamber acts as a neutral convener, providing a structured forum where elected oficials can engage in open, respectful, and candid discussion on shared regional challenges and opportunities.

Participants during 2025 included:

Federal

• Jeremy Patzer, Member of Parliament

Provincial

• Everett Hindley, Member of the Legislative Assembly

Municipal / Rural

• Al Bridal, Mayor of Swift Current
• Ramona Dyck, Reeve, RM of Swift Current
• William Neufeld, Councillor, RM of Swift Current

Chamber of Commerce

• Warren Hope, Committee Chair and Past Chair of the Swift Current & District Chamber of Commerce
• Doug Evjen, Board Member, Swift Current & District Chamber of Commerce
• Corla Rokochy, CEO, Swift Current & District Chamber of Commerce

The meetings are designed as in-camera facilitated sessions with set agenda topics. The Chamber serves as host and moderator, prepares minutes and coordinates the meeting dates and times. Government participants drive the discussion and identify priorities based on the feedback they receive from the constituents they are elected to serve.”

Topics discussed during 2025 included:

• Highway #1 speed reduction within the City and RM of Swift Current
• Funding approaches for a new recreation facility in the City of Swift Current
• A potential feasibility study related to the Highway #4 corridor and rail crossing
• Economic opportunities connected to irrigation development and helium production
• Immigration and workforce considerations

“I’ve greatly appreciated the opportunity to sit down at a table with my federal and municipal counterparts and chamber representatives for these discussions,” said MLA Everett Hindley. “As the local MLA, I want to ensure that we can identify shared priorities, and I’m proud to help advance these issues on behalf of the people of Swift Current and area.”

“As far as we can determine, this is the first working group of its kind in Canada,” said Warren Hope, Committee Chair. “It has been an honour to chair these initial meetings. We are hopeful this group can serve as a pilot project for other Chambers across Canada.” The Swift Current & District Chamber of Commerce views this initiative as a cornerstone of its advocacy mandate, creating space for collaboration that supports economic growth and the long-term interests of Chamber members and the broader business community.

“These meetings have been great for discussing local issues and shared priorities to see if there is a way to work on them from a federal angle.” MP Jeremy Patzer.

“Our role is to facilitate communication,” said Corla Rokochy, CEO of the Chamber. “We are not here to lobby within the room, but to ensure there is open dialogue on economic issues that impact our members and our region. We see real potential for this model to be adopted by Chambers across Canada.”

The working group meets several times per year and will continue throughout 2026, with participants agreeing that the discussions to date have been productive, valuable, and an important step toward stronger regional cooperation.