Premier Scott Moe, Mayor Bob Himbeault and MLA David Marit partook in an announcement at Assiniboia’s Public Works Shop on the morning of Sept. 10.
The financed project at First Avenue East is part of the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP), which has delivered $150 million in funding for infrastructure work in Saskatchewan’s municipalities.
MEEP 2020 is a vital element of the provincial government’s two-year $7 billion infrastructure subsidy intended to counter the effects of COVID-19 upon Saskatchewan’s economy.
Funds obtained from MEEP will be used to refurbish Assiniboia’s sewers and help manage water issues, defining the end goals of the First Avenue East Underground Rehabilitation Project. Also, cash from MEEP will assist in paying for repaving developments and support other regenerative ventures in town.
Additionally, Assiniboia will also receive $144,601 as part of the Safe Restart Canada Plan.
Earlier, Government Relations Minister Lori Carr announced on Sept. 9 that Saskatchewan’s percentage of the federal government’s Safe Restart Canada Plan for municipal governments will amount to approximately $70.32 million – these funds will be distributed to all of Saskatchewan’s compatible municipalities, including Assiniboia.
“It’s a good day to be in Assiniboia,” Premier Moe said as took the podium over from MLA David Marit at the Public Works Shop. “Harvest as we know is in full swing.”
“COVID-19 is most certainly a large challenge for our generation,” Moe said as he briefly touched on the effects of the pandemic on Saskatchewan before continuing.
“There are better days ahead for our province,” Moe promised during his speech. “The fundamentals of our economy have not changed. We have determination in Saskatchewan. We have the work ethic. Saskatchewan will continue to grow. The province will continue to advance.”
Previously, funds from MEEP were only used once before in Saskatchewan’s history as Premier Moe noted. However, the premier believed the timing was right to use federal funds to rebuild vital infrastructure in this province as this country and the world continue to recover from the pandemic.
“I think of Stephen Harper, when he invested in the Building Canada Fund.”
Moe believed a bright future was at hand for Saskatchewan, particularly when examining the province’s success in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We continue to have low case numbers,” Moe said. “The number of infections are low.”
The premier also spoke on the province’s job growth – Saskatchewan’s job numbers have rebounded in recent months. Also, the economy has remained steady during the pandemic. “We have retained our triple AAA rating from Moody's,” Moe verified.
“Moody’s has affirmed Saskatchewan’s triple-A credit rating despite the significant fiscal and economic challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic,” Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said in a release on September 10. “With this affirmation, Saskatchewan continues to have the second-highest credit rating among Canadian provinces when all three major rating agencies are considered.”
“Fiscally, we are moving in the right direction and Saskatchewan’s economy continues to reopen and recover from the pandemic,” the finance minister added. “Our province has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada, according to the most recent labour force survey and several other economic indicators, including growth in retail sales, wholesale trade and exports, show that our recovery is on track.”
