Four years ago the provincial government cut its annual funding to the Meewasin Valley Authority by $400,000 to a total now of $500,000. It used to be just over $900,000. CEO Andrea Lafond says since then it has been status quo, and that continues this year with $500,000 from the Parks Ministry and from the University of Saskatchewan through the Ministry of Advanced Education, the MVA receives $653,600. The City adds just over $1.37-million to the pot. Lafond stresses that the MVA brings in about 40 per cent of its own revenue through fundraising, and because of the funding and the fundraising, they will be able to deliver on all of their strategies this year.

Lafond says many people are enjoying the outdoors more because of the pandemic, and the MVA has seen that with an uptick in visitations in the valley, the trail system and at visitor sites. Andrea Lafond points to a recent Insightrix survey which indicates that 83 per cent of those surveyed believe Meewasin has become more important in their lives and 94 per cent say it has improved their quality of life. Lafond says with people heading outside, as the Chief Medical Health Officer has recommended, the community is exploring places they have never been or haven’t checked out in a long time, and that’s what Meewasin is about – exploring nature in our own back yard.