There was no Throne Speech when Members of Legislature returned to their fall session on October 13. Instead, the decision was made by the SaskParty government to concentrate on some priority bills before the spring election.
However, the fall session should still be an important one. It is one more opportunity for both the SaskParty and the New Democrat Party to showcase what is important to them.
There should have been a Throne Speech to direct the actions of our provincial government before the voters go to the polls for the provincial election.
The provincial election is scheduled for April 4, 2016. Thus, there is only a 25-day-sitting for the fall session. That is only 25 days to ensure that the people of Saskatchewan are still the main focus — and that priority areas are being discussed and covered.
According to Premier Brad Wall, the important items for the SaskParty government during the fall sitting includes legislation allowing additional private MRI scans, new rules dealing with foreign farm ownership, amending essential services legislation to put it in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling, and possible changes to liquor retailing.
The NDP opposition also plans to pursue some private members bills. They want to focus on the Buy Local Day Act, a government procurement policy to give local companies “an even playing field” to bid on government contracts, creating minimum standards of care and staffing ratios in seniors care and long term care, making the full price of P3s public, and setting targets for green jobs and energy.
We have to ensure that with a short fall sitting, that our elected MLAs are still doing the best to their ability to fulfill commitments and ensure a strong economy for the province.
There are a number of priority items for residents in southeast Saskatchewan that needs more direction. It is important to remember that many municipalities depend on funding from the provincial government to make their own local decisions.
Municipal elections will be held in one year after all, so there is only one more term for many of our city/town councillors and mayors. They need strong support from their provincial and federal partners to ensure that municipal needs are met.
Things can get a little chaotic during election season, and it can be especially difficult with a federal election being decided on Monday, October 19 — then the provincial election following in April of 2016.
But the day-to-day responsibilities of a municipal government does not stop because of an election. There are still many civic decisions to be made, even as Canadian voters head to the polls to decide the next federal government. There will be many civic decisions to be made while the provincial election is held.
There are some things that just can’t wait until a new government is voted into power — and it is up to those members who are still serving their communities to ensure that they are making the most of their time in the Legislature or Parliament.
