City, Humane Society try to find common ground

MOOSE JAW — The Moose Jaw Humane Society and City of Moose Jaw will likely be back on speaking terms in the new year.

Executive committee voted unanimously in favour of extending the Moose Jaw Humane Society’s (MJHS) pound-keeping contract to continue negotiations with the organization.

Councillors Heather Eby and Brian Swanson were absent for the vote.

“Administration asked us for an opportunity to be able to do what’s in the best interest of the community ... and give them a little more time to negotiate,” said Coun. Dawn Luhning following the vote.

Under the extension, the MJHS will receive $17,000 a month to continue providing services while it negotiates with the city for a new contract.

That $17,000 approximately reflects the monthly rate the City of Moose Jaw offered in its counter-proposal to the organization’s first request.

“It’s a leap of faith from those council members,” said Matt Noble, Moose Jaw’s city manager. “But it is made with a view to making sure we can access the information we need to come to a final agreement.

“That is required of everybody who seeks municipal funding, and good on council to be that diligent,” he added. “They know there are certain things that they need to know before they can make long-term decisions on behalf of the citizens, so they are doing exactly what one would hope they’d be doing..”

Executive committee also voted unanimously in support of a motion that council would request to have a member on the MJHS board should a successful contract be negotiated in the future — a common practice that would be in line with other such arrangements.

Kristyn McEwen, the MJHS’ executive director, said the decision to return to negotiations is “a relief for us and, I think, a relief for our supporters.”

“We can continue to care for the animals for the next three months, and continue talking,” she said.

“We really feel good about this, and I think it’s what everybody wanted to hear.”

For their part, the MJHS wasn’t as concerned about the monthly increase, but they are looking at it as a good sign.

“It wasn’t about the increase, it was just about making sure we could continue delivering the service and that there was room for us to talk,” McEwen said.

“I’m confident we both need each other. ... We provide them with great service and they provide us with funding, but we both need each other to do what’s best for the animals.”

The executive committee’s decision will not be finalized until it is approved by council as part of the committee’s minutes at council’s next meeting.