The new legislative session is off to a busy start for Battlefords MLA Herb Cox and everyone else in the Saskatchewan legislature.
But the atmosphere for the Speech from the Throne delivered on Oct. 22 was muted considerably due to the shooting incident on Parliament Hill in Ottawa that morning.
"It definitely cast a shadow over the day," Cox admitted, who expressed his remorse over the two terrorist incidents that had taken place the week before.
"My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of those two fallen soldiers who died so needlessly in this country. It was a shock to everyone as far as I'm concerned."
The premier made the decision to go ahead with the Throne Speech despite what happened; Cox explained it was a tradition no one was going to stop.
But there were some changes to the program. There was no inspecting of the guard outside because "that was just maybe looking for trouble." Instead, they moved the program inside, with the RCMP and the Regina police agreeing to supply extra members in the legislature.
"It was unusual to see armed police officers patrolling our halls," said Cox.
The events of the week before also mean there will be more security at the legislature from now on.
Cox said that anyone coming to visit the legislature will need to check in with the front desk. "You don't necessarily need to have an appointment but you need to have somebody you're meeting here."
"You just don't get to wander around the building anymore," Cox said.
He regrets the changes because the legislature is the "people's building." Still, Cox believes it will be a "minimal change" and people will still be able to meet with their MLA or the minister responsible for their issues in the legislature. Anyone who wants to to watch the legislature's proceedings will need to present ID and get a visitor's pass.
Despite the challenges surrounding the Speech from the Throne presentation, the speech was delivered by the lieutenant-governor and Cox could point to some highlights.
What stood out for Cox was the government's continued focus on managing the prosperity of the province.
"The priority is, and I've talked about this before, is keeping Saskatchewan strong, keeping our growth going, keeping the growth that we have experienced over the last seven years so that we can afford to do the things we need to do for people in this province."
Among the highlights for him was "577,000 people working in our province right now," and the "lowest unemployment rate in the country."
He also pointed to Premier Brad Wall's work promoting trade on trade missions throughout the year "telling the Saskatchewan story and getting interest raised in our province."
The throne speech spoke about the government's plans to "maintain its emphasis on international engagement, particularly in Asia, the fastest growing region in the world. In the months ahead, my government will undertake trade missions to key international markets while continuing to support the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP), which carried out 42 trade missions to 27 countries in 2013."
Also in the throne speech, the government also supported the Comprehensive Europe Trade Agreement as well as the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement, and pledged to continue to reduce trade barriers with particular mention of country-of-origin labeling regulations, or COOL. The government also reiterated its support for reducing trade barriers between provinces through the New West Partnership.
Cox also pointed to government initiatives to ensure workers are trained for the jobs available. Among those he pointed to in the Throne Speech was the plan to increase the adult basic education seats again by some 775 seats this year, bringing the number to over 9,000.
In general, Cox made it known he preferred to deal with issues related to growth than the other way around.
"We know that, yes, there are some problems with growth but I think those problems are a lot better than the problems that arise with decline."
There was mention of other initiatives in the Throne Speech, including the expansion of HUBs in the province to other communities. The HUB has been in place in North Battleford now for a couple of years to improve community safety through greater coordination of the relevant social and law-enforcement agencies.
"The HUB speaks for itself, the results that it's had," said Cox. He also pointed to enhancements coming to the Victims Compensation Program and amendments to the Victims of Domestic Violence Act, to "make it easier for people to collect money that has been allotted to them by a judgment in court."
The Throne Speech also reiterated the government's commitment to Saskatchewan Hospital, Cox said.
"It's going to be a groundbreaking facility not only in Canada but right across North America," said Cox, who also noted it would include an integrated corrections facility. The proposal calls for 188 beds at the new Saskatchewan Hospital and 96 spaces at the corrections facility.
"We're being looked at as innovators in the treatment of incarcerated people and people that are in jail with mental issues. It's going to be a tremendous facility and a tremendous boon to North Battleford to have this kind of facility."
He was very happy to see the Sask Hospital project move to the request-for-proposals stage with three qualified groups shortlisted.
"That's the final piece of the puzzle," said Cox, "up until the actual sod-turning." He expects the project will move quickly once the successful applicant is chosen, because "any one of the three are prepared to go to work right away."
However, the government's commitment to a P3 process -- public private partnerships -- for Sask Hospital and other projects came under fire last week at a town hall meeting held at the Dekker Centre and attended by luminaries such as Maude Barlow and CUPE national president Paul Moist.
Among the charges levelled at the Sask Hospital P3 was that jobs would be impacted and that there was no transparency regarding the costs.
Cox, though, reiterated his support for the P3 plan, which will mean "savings to the taxpayers in this province" he said. He also didn't share the view that jobs would be lost.
"Not only are we increasing the number of beds on the hospital side, but we are adding another 96 beds on the corrections side," said Cox.
That will mean a "net increase in jobs, and I have no reason to suspect that's going to be any different," he added.
Overall, the start of fall sitting has meant some long hours -- "from 7:30 in the morning to 9:30 at night" said Cox -- and a bit of a learning curve for the newly-appointed Government Whip.
Cox was busy, he said, organizing the agendas and people's speeches in relation to the Speech from the Throne. But the MLA is pleased with his new responsibilities and with the agenda outlined by the government.
"This is always an exciting time when you come back for the fall session after spending the summer months in your office in your constituency and meeting the people up there," said Cox.
While he has been busy with his legislative duties, Cox was able to return to the riding for a number of events this month.
He was at the launch of the North Battleford eight-unit pocket housing project on Oct. 17, and also attended the grand opening of the University of Saskatchewan's Canadian Feed Research Centre, which he was able to tour along with other dignitaries.
On Oct. 25, Cox was in Battleford for a local Saskatchewan Party fundraiser at Alex Dillabough Centre featuring the musical group The Reactions. Minister of education Don Morgan was among the guests at the event, which was well attended by a number of local Sask. Party supporters and volunteers.
"For the first time we've attempted that, it was a good event all around," said Cox.
