Briefing on Battlefords—Lloydminster

Located in the western part of the province of Saskatchewan, the federal electoral district of Battlefords—Lloydminster is known for its diverse economy that includes agriculture, resource extraction, and manufacturing. The district is primarily rural, and stretches over a large area from the city of Lloydminster to the Battlefords.

Population centres

The district has several population centres, including:

• Lloydminster: A city that straddles the Alberta-Saskatchewan border and is a key economic centre for the area. It has a strong oil and gas industry, as well as agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
• North Battleford: A city that is home to the region's only hospital and college, and is an important service centre for the surrounding rural areas. It has a diversifying economy with strong agriculture, retail, and service sectors.
• Meadow Lake: A town that is known for its forestry and manufacturing, including lumber, pulp, and paper production.
• Spiritwood: A town that is seeing growth in its agri-food and renewable energy industries, including a new canola oil processing plant and wind farm.

Issues and events

Local issues and events that have impacted the area include:

• Wildfires: In the summer of 2019, several wildfires burned throughout the district, impacting communities including the village of Pinehouse and Clearwater River Dene Nation. The fires led to evacuations, road closures, and significant economic loss for the forestry industry.
• COVID-19: Like the rest of the world, Battlefords—Lloydminster has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The area has seen some of the highest case numbers in Saskatchewan, and has struggled with outbreaks in long-term care facilities and other settings.
• Flooding: The district has experienced a number of significant floods in recent years, including in 2018 and 2021. These have led to evacuations, road closures, and damage to infrastructure and property.

Economy

Major employers in the district include:

• Husky Energy: A large oil and gas producer with operations in the Lloydminster area.
• Tolko Industries: A forestry company with several mills in the district.
• Bayer: A major agri-chemical company with operations in the Meadow Lake area.

One recent event that had a profound impact on the economy was the closure of the Husky Energy refinery in Lloydminster in 2020. This led to significant job loss and a negative impact on the local economy.

Important landmarks

Major attractions in the area include:

• The Battlefords Provincial Park: A popular destination for camping, fishing, and other outdoor recreation.
• The Lloydminster Cultural and Science Centre: A museum and science centre that showcases local history and culture.
• The North Saskatchewan River: A major waterway that runs through the region and provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and other activities.

Arts and culture

Cultural events and institutions in the district include:

• The Lloydminster Cultural Festival: An annual event that celebrates the diversity of the community through music, dance, and food.
• The Jean Louis Legaree Centre: A performing arts venue in North Battleford that hosts concerts, theatre productions, and other events.
• The Chapel Gallery: A visual arts gallery in North Battleford that showcases works by local and regional artists.

Electoral issues

During the 2021 federal election, key issues in the district included:

• Economic recovery: With the closure of the Husky Energy refinery and impacts from COVID-19, many voters were concerned about economic recovery and job creation.
• Healthcare: Access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, was a key issue for voters in the district.
• Infrastructure: Voters in the district were looking for commitments to support infrastructure development, particularly around roads and bridges that were damaged during flooding.

Community organizations

Important community organizations in the district include:

• The Battlefords and District Community Foundation: A charitable organization that supports local community projects and initiatives.
• The Battlefords Humane Society: A non-profit that provides animal shelter and advocacy services in the area.
• The Prairie North Health Region: The regional health authority that oversees healthcare services in the district.

Multicultural groups

The most significant cultural demographic segments in the district include Indigenous communities, particularly the Cree and Dene peoples, as well as a growing Filipino community in the Lloydminster area.