The fall sitting of the legislature proved productive for the government, according to Battlefords MLA Herb Cox.
Among those is the introduction of new labour legislation, new liquor regulations, and passage of a bill to establish a new education savings accounts, but Cox was clearly most proud of the province's continued commitment to balancing the books and keeping the economy growing.
What impressed Cox were the growth figures released this fall showing the province "growing at the fastest rate we have, probably, in 90 years."
With that growth comes the need for more funding of programs such as education. Cox pointed to over $6 million in funding made to eight school divisions "where the student population was just growing so dramatically that the funding was not adequate."
"Our tax base allows us to do that because of the growth," said Cox. He notes the increase in the tax base with $350 million more in taxes than five years ago, "even with the tax reductions that have been made simply because there's more people working here.
The fall sitting wrapped up Dec. 6 and a number of initiatives were brought in that Cox could point to as significant in the session.
"It has been a busy session," said Cox. "I think we tabled 42 bills."
Of those initiatives, Cox welcomes the new liquor regulations that include provisions for more private liquor stores to be built. Two in Saskatoon and one in Regina are to be built by the private sector, and Cox sees that as freeing up money for other uses.
"We're not tying up government capital building buildings for liquor stores. We can use that money for schools and highways and hospitals."
On labour legislation, Cox believes the just-tabled Saskatchewan Employment Act "will bring employment laws more in line with the rest of the country."
Cox said he is also happy to see a bill passed for education savings accounts, where the government would match a grant up to $250 per child per year towards their registered education savings plan.
Legislation is also being brought forward where up to 60 per cent of the Information Services Corporation is to be sold, with 40 per cent retained by the government. The privacy portion of it is also to be retained by the government.
"We feel there is potential for growth for that corporation that hasn't been achieved as a crown corporation, and we feel this is an opportunity for that corporation to grow."
He sees the initiatives as in line with the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth document that was brought forward by Premier Brad Wall just prior to the beginning of the session.
"A big part of that growth plan is continuing with balanced budgets, and that is what we've done," said Cox.
From a Battlefords perspective, Cox says he is excited to see the Credit Union CUPlex almost fully completed with the New Year's celebrations set to happen at the BTC Field House Dec. 31. He also pointed to the new Northland Power plant about to be commissioned in the coming months. Cox called those examples of growth for the Battlefords.
As well, the new Saskatchewan Hospital is still in the planning phase, and Cox notes they are getting into the physical layout of rooms and other details in the planning. He is hoping for a further announcement to come on Saskatchewan Hospital in the near future.
In the coming months Cox expects to see more of the same progress seen in the past several months.
"We're working on growth, we're working on immigration, we're working on things to keep the province moving forward," said Cox. He is also looking forward to a better year in the resource sectors next year and continued growth in the work force, leading to more revenue for the province.
The session is in recess until March.
