Battlefords MLA Herb Cox touted what he considered another productive fall sitting of the legislature.
It was a session that Cox and the rest of the government said was focused on keeping Saskatchewan strong.
“I think it was a very positive session again this fall,” said Cox “I think we’ve introduced 35 bills that are now on the table.”
Among the highlights for Cox was job creation at three times the national average, low unemployment at 3.4 per cent, development of a 10-year Mental Health and Addictions Plan, the opening of 79 new housing units in various communities across the province, proceeding with the RFP for nine joint-use schools across the province as well as the new K-to-12 school in Langenberg, and other items.
These were included in a news release issued by the Sask. Party caucus Dec. 8, one in which Cox was quoted heavily.
“Thanks to growing economic strength our government is able to make the investments that the NDP would not do,” he stated. “We’re building new schools, we’re building new hospitals, we’re hiring doctors, nurses and health-care workers, we’re building highways and physical infrastructure across the province.”
Among the highlights for Cox was in health care, where he pointed to additional doctors and nurses across the province.
“Four hundred more doctors, 2,600 more nurses in seven years, that’s pretty phenomenal growth,” said Cox. “Cutting down our wait times from the longest in the country to the second shortest. We know we’ve got more to do, and you’ve heard the premier say that, but we’re on the right track and making progress.”
A balanced budget forecast at a $70 million surplus was a particular highlight for Cox in speaking to the Regional OptimistMonday.
“Even though that’s not huge, it still leaves us in surplus,” said Cox.
This good news comes despite the bad news on oil prices, which are likely to impact resource revenues to the province.
“I know the finance minister is tearing his hair out some days watching the oil price as it declines, and so does our oil and resource revenue,” said Cox.
“We’re going to have to do some belt tightening and pencil sharpening, and our plan is to keep a balanced budget for the 2014-15 year.”
The good news, he believes, is that potash is coming back and the mining sector is strong. And agriculture and exports have been great, he said.
“It’s not all doom and gloom, there’s additional revenues coming in,” said Cox, who believes this will allow them to “weather the storm.”
It has not all been good news for the government this fall. The NDP opposition has continued to hammer the government on health care and particularly seniors’ long-term care homes.
“We know that our seniors are a big part of the care we need to provide in this province. That’s why we’ve got 750 more people working in long-term care in this province,” said Cox.
“I think our long-term care professionals give our seniors excellent, excellent care. That’s not to say that there may be incidences where that doesn’t happen, and we are investigating that and corrections will be made if they need to be made, but for the most part seniors receive good care in this province.”
On local issues, he is optimistic about the RFP process for Saskatchewan Hospital yielding some results early next year.
“We’re expecting the RFPs to be back on that project probably in early spring, like March-April, sometime in there. Hopefully once that’s done we can be in the ground this summer.”
A big highlight of the fall sitting was the recent announcement of the expansion of the Community Safety Officer program across the province. The pilot project began in North Battleford and civic representatives including Mayor Ian Hamilton and Fire Chief Albert Headrick joined provincial officials in Regina for that announcement Dec. 1.
“That was absolutely a great day for North Battleford in our legislature,” said Cox. “That’s a pilot project that’s proved its working.”
He pointed to the immediate impact that program has had locally in terms of improving traffic safety. “We’re already seeing changes in driving habits throughout the city. They’re being very effective. The rest of the province is excited at looking at what can be done with these Community Safety Officers.”
Cox is confident it will expand to other municipalities in the province quickly and adds “it’s great to see North Battleford the focus of something positive.”
