Battlefords MLA Herb Cox highlighted progress on a number of provincial initiatives following the conclusion of the fall sitting of the legislature.
The legislature wrapped up for 2013 Dec. 5, and the MLAs have returned to their ridings for the holidays.
"I think it's been a good year in Saskatchewan," said Cox, who spoke to the Regional Optimist Friday.
The Battlefords MLA did acknowledge one piece of bad news from the previous week - the announcement of major layoffs at Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, including 440 employees in its Saskatchewan operations.
"I think it's kind of on the down side," said Cox. "The good news there is there's demand for jobs in other sectors."
He explained the province deployed its rapid response team in an effort to place those employees. That rapid response is set up through the Ministry of the Economy.
Cox did point to economic growth in other sectors and a great year in agriculture.
"There are 1,800 more jobs in agriculture," said Cox. He also noted a record crop of 38.4 million tonnes of production, which he said was ahead of the government's projections for the sector.
"No matter how you slice it, agriculture is still a big part of the province," said Cox.
Still, the Potash Corp. announcement was a concern, particularly at this point in the year.
"We're very aware of it and we know we've got to place those people in jobs," the MLA said.
Cox also noted the reaction of Premier Brad Wall who penned a strongly worded letter to Potash Corp. on the layoffs.
The premier "was upset with some of the things, the way it was done," said Cox. "Of course, his concern is for the 440 families who are affected. But as I say, we don't control what corporations do in this free enterprise system."
Still, said Cox, the premier "had some concerns about it and he expressed them, and more power to him for doing that."
Cox did express hope those workers will be able to find other jobs. He said other potash projects, such as Jansen Lake and the K + S Potash project near Moose Jaw, are still going ahead.
Beyond the economy, long term care was a major topic of discussion in the legislature during the fall.
Cox welcomed the funding efforts, as well as efforts this year to have the health region CEOs visit every long term care facility in the province, "something that's never been done before," he said.
Cox said a list was made at each one on what was needed, and "those are things that are to be implemented over the next months."
Cox said there has been additional hiring of staff for long term care including the hiring of 1,000 nurses, but acknowledged "we still need more, we know that." Plans are underway and construction has begun on 13 long-term care homes in the province as well, he said.
"It is a big issue and we have to look after those senior citizens, our parents and grandparents who built this province," said Cox.
Other highlights Cox pointed to were the anti-bullying initiatives brought forward as a result of MLA Jennifer Campeau's consultation tour on the issue in the province, as well as the initiatives resulting from the Traffic Safety Committee that Cox was a part of.
"We're seeing tougher laws come in for drinking and driving," said Cox. He expects that to be tabled and debated in the spring session of the legislature.
Cox said these initiatives include more longer term impoundment of vehicles, more education on drinking and driving, tougher penalties and more enforcement.
Another major topic over the past several months has been crime. City council in North Battleford passed a resolution calling for a joint meeting with the province and federal government to devise an action plan on public safety in the community.
Cox acknowledged recent meetings have taken place on the public safety issue between Mayor Ian Hamilton and City Manager Jim Toye with Corrections and Policing Minister Christine Tell and Attorney General Gordon Wyant.
Cox also indicated the ministers were working on initiatives to deal with crime and more meetings between the province and the city are to happen in the coming weeks.
The MLA adds he has personally met with the ministers and made them aware of the situation, and said they are initiating some plans through the ministries.
"We're very aware of the situation in the Battlefords," said Cox.
