Legislative Report (29 May 2008)

SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES

Our Ready for Growth budget continues to deliver for the people of Saskatchewan. We listened when people said families with small children needed support. So what are we doing? Your Saskatchewan Party government is providing $1.7 million to open 500 new child care spaces. Our government is also increasing the Child Care subsidy. There are now more daycare spaces for families, and help for families that need it. Between the early 90s up until just a couple of years ago, daycare spaces under the NDP increased by less than 2 per cent. In six months, we have done more than they did in 16 years.

ENSURING A STRONG VOICE FOR THE NORTH

Your Saskatchewan Party government believes in strong representation for northern Saskatchewan. We have called a by-election for June 25, 2008 in the northern riding of Cumberland. After the NDP lost last fall’s election, Cumberland MLA and former NDP cabinet minister Joan Beatty jumped ship to run, and subsequently lose, for the federal Liberal Party. Your Saskatchewan Party candidate is Dale McAuley, a tireless community advocate, born and raised in Cumberland House. McAuley is a former mayor, alderman, school board trustee and representative for the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan. Our government believes northern Saskatchewan has a vital role to play in our province’s future. That belief is strong, we have announced work begins this summer to supply natural gas to homes between Montreal Lake and La Ronge. SaskEnergy will begin work next month. It is expected northern families will save up to 40 per cent on home heating costs. Hundreds of thousands of dollars will stay in those northern communities. Your Saskatchewan Party government is committed to ensuring the north shares in the prosperity.

ERASING THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICIT

Your Saskatchewan Party government continues to address the infrastructure deficit created by the NDP. We are investing $500,000 into infrastructure investments at community airports to ensure those communities are ready for growth. The money will pay for improvements and upgrades such as runways, taxiways and lighting and navigation systems at 9 community airports. The improvement program is done on a 50-50 cost sharing basis with municipalities, so the total investment will be a $1 million. The airports affected are: Esterhazy, Carlyle, Kamsack, Yorkton, Unity, Weyburn, Big River, Luseland and the RM of Frontier. As Canada’s fastest growing province, it is important we make improvements to our transportation infrastructure across Saskatchewan.

MINING WEEK RUNS FROM MAY 25-31

It’s about recognizing the hard work and dedication of the 25,000 people who work in Saskatchewan’s third largest industry. Last year, mineral sales in Saskatchewan generated a record $4.6 billion. Saskatchewan is the world’s largest producer of uranium and potash. Exploration is also underway for gold and diamonds. Saskatchewan’s natural resources have played a key role in catapulting our province into it’s’ status as Canada’s newest “it” province and a leader in the New West.

Past Legislative Reports