Saskatchewan Hospital, increased Internet bandwidth in schools, and access to driver education on First Nations are some of the highlights of the speech from the throne identified by Battlefords MLA Herb Cox.
Cox is looking forward to seeing several issues impacting on the local area addressed in the fall session, which began Oct. 24.
He was heartened by the "further announcement that Saskatchewan Hospital is going forward," said Cox, as "PS work continues."
The mention of Saskatchewan Hospital was in connection to SaskBuilds, with the throne speech stating SaskBuilds was working on the development of several projects including the new hospital.
"It's being done under SaskBuilds and there (are) several big projects in the province," said Cox, who noted the government is bundling nine new schools under that as well.
Cox adds he had attended the "3P" planning sessions for the hospital this summer, noting planning continues for the project. He called that mention in the throne speech the highlight of the speech for him.
Another standout was bandwidth in the schools. He had attended school board meetings this summer, he said, and one of the items that came out of the meetings with Living Sky School Division was the issue of lack of bandwidth.
"In rural schools, they don't have enough bandwidth for all the students to get on their computers," said Cox. The throne speech announcement that the government would work to increase that bandwidth was an important one for him.
Cox also pointed to the announcement of a new international scholarship program for those taking advanced education elsewhere, as long as they came back for work in Saskatchewan.
Also important, said Cox, was SGI's commitment to provide driver education on First Nations.
"Only 30 per cent of the schools on First Nations have driver ed," said Cox. Having worked with the First Nations and SIIT, he said, "that's a big impediment to finding employment."
The estimate is the new program will accommodate 2,600 students. "That's great for employment," said Cox.
Cox was happy to see mention of $10 million going to long term care needs for health regions, which can be applied for based on the regions' needs.
"We realize our population is aging and we've got to be very aware of what kind of work we are doing in our long-term care facilities," said Cox.
Also mentioned in the speech were government plans to act upon the Traffic Safety legislative committee recommendations, a committee Cox was a part of this summer.
"We're definitely toughening the penalties on drinking and driving, and we'll see those penalties unfold as the session goes along," said Cox.
Cox also looks forward to anti-crime initiatives in this session, noting the details will be outlined further as the session moves along. He is also looking forward to seeing anti-bullying initiatives.
A week in November is to be declared Anti-Bullying Week and Cox noted their legislative secretary working on that issue, Jennifer Campeau, will be back in the Battlefords later in November.
