The Saskatchewan Party and Premier Brad Wall presented its Throne Speech for the upcoming session of the Saskatchewan Legislature recently.
Wall said the Throne Speech sets out the provincial government's agenda to keep Saskatchewan moving forward.
"Saskatchewan is growing and Saskatchewan people are enjoying the benefits of that growth," Wall said in a release. "Our government is working hard to ensure this continues."
Wall said the government will also fulfill its promises to fully implement the new municipal revenue sharing formula based on one point of the Saskatchewan Sales Tax (PST) and to fully implement the final phase of the government's education property tax reduction plan.
Yorkton Saskatchewan Party MLA Greg Ottenbreit said the Throne Speech sets out the government's commitment to do things differently.
"The theme of this year's speech is 'The New Road', or not continuing to do things more or less, the same way and expect different results, not only under the NDP, but governments of any political stripe," he offered. "To me the theme would be, we started out trying to do things differently three years ago, and this Speech from the Throne continues down that path. We are continuing to deliver on the promises made previously (such as education property tax relief and municipal revenue sharing), and make new commitments to improve the economy, and through that, the quality of life in Saskatchewan."
Ottenbreit said the plans outlined in the Speech will impact locally.
"Most everything in the Throne Speech affects local residents in some way, large or small," he said. "However I have heard a lot of positive comments mainly about the M.S. trials funding and our position on potash and the BHP hostile takeover of PCS.
Also "most everyone believes the STARS program is a great move, and it will benefit the rural residents along with industrial - mining and oil - workers," he said.
Initiatives outlined in the Throne Speech include: Planning for a significant expansion of emergency medical services in co-operation with the helicopter-based Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) program, with the new process being led by Melfort MLA Rod Gantefoer; 100 new long-term addictions recovery spaces; Creation of a new health ombudsman; A successful proposal to be chosen in early 2011 to begin clinical trials of MS liberation treatment; Doubling wind power capacity to 400 megawatts by 2015; Construction of 1,000 new affordable homes over the next five years; A new national advertising initiative to tell the Saskatchewan success story and attract investors, ex-patriots and skilled workers to the province.The government's legislative agenda includes: New legislation authorizing the monitoring of telephone conversations by inmates in correctional facilities to strengthen the fight against gang activity, drugs and organized crime; Whistleblower protection legislation for provincial government employees; New human rights legislation to streamline the complaints process and improve efficiency; Increased penalties for those who mistreat farm animals; Establishing four-year terms for municipal governments and giving municipalities the authority to require photo ID when conducting local elections; and Legislation requiring voters to produce photo ID when voting in provincial elections.
Ottenbreit said he sees several highlights in the Speech.
"Highlights for me would be, the numerous health care commitments and achievements - many admittedly spoken about before, but now complete - such as the funding for the children's hospital being in place; the nursing target being met and surpassed along with the nurse training seats; the surgical wait time initiative, and new announcements such as the five million allocated for the M.S. Liberation trials; the helicopter-based Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service," he said. He added, "and also the commitment to do all possible to ensure the people of Saskatchewan continue to benefit from the province's resources such as potash, in a fair yet business friendly way."
Wall said potash is certainly an issue his government will be looking at.
"We will also introduce and debate a resolution calling on the federal government to not approve the foreign takeover of PotashCorp," he said.
