Legislative Report (7 May 2008)

SASKATCHEWAN PEOPLE CHOOSE PUBLIC SAFETY AND DEMOCRACY

A new poll conducted for the Regina Leader Post shows overwhelming support for your Saskatchewan Party government’s labour legislation. Seventy per cent of people polled support essential services legislation. Seventy-five per cent like the idea of secret ballots during union certification. Even people in union households support the bills. When it comes to essential services legislation, our government’s focus is balancing the safety and security of Saskatchewan people with the right to strike. In the event of a strike, we want to ensure that your child can get the healthcare they need when they need it, and that snow-plow operators can’t walk off the job during a blizzard.

NDP VOTE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEAVE

It is beyond understanding. This week in the legislature, the NDP voted against your Saskatchewan Party government’s Graduate Retention Program. So what did they vote against? A program that basically pays post-secondary graduates to stay and work in Saskatchewan. The Graduate Retention Program provides up to $20,000 in tuition rebates for post-secondary graduates who stay in the province after graduation. These graduates will receive 10 per cent of the maximum rebate for the year of graduation and the following three years, and then 20 per cent of the maximum rebate for the following three years. The program will be retroactive to January 1, 2008. By voting against the program, the NDP have shown once again they are stuck in the past and do not support innovative ideas that will ensure our young people can make their futures right here in Saskatchewan.

ANOTHER PROMISE KEPT

Your Saskatchewan Party government is making significant progress toward keeping an important campaign promise to put more police officers on the streets and to crack down on organized crime. Last week, our government announced $785,000 in funding for a special gang and organized crime unit consisting of nine new police officers. Through the creation of this unit, we are sending a strong message to gangs and organized crime that they are not welcome in Saskatchewan. The creation of this unit brings to 20 the number of officers hired so far this year, and is a big step toward meeting our campaign commitment of hiring 120 new police officers (30 officers per year) over the next four years. While the NDP failed to keep their 1999 campaign promise to hire 200 more police officers, our government is one that will keep our promises.

EARNINGS UP, EI DOWN

Saskatchewan people are making more money and fewer people are collecting Employment Insurance. New statistics out this week show people in Saskatchewan make an average of $742.10 a week, an increase of 4.4 per cent. The national average was only 3.1 per cent. On the flip side, 20 per cent fewer people are collecting EI. Saskatchewan’s economy is strong, and our government is committed to making it even stronger through the initiatives contained in our Ready For Growth budget.

A BIG INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION

Another sign of a growing economy is an increase in building permits. Saskatchewan was number two in the country in March with more than $146 million in building permits issued, a 32 per cent increase over March 2007. Only Newfoundland and Labrador had a larger increase. This kind of growth will benefit Saskatchewan families by providing better paying jobs, higher salaries, and improving the quality of life.

RELIEF FOR DROUGHT-STRICKEN FARMERS

Your Saskatchewan Party government recognizes farmers in the southwest have had a difficult time over the last few years dealing with severe drought. Last week, your Saskatchewan Party government announced the $6 million Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program. The program will be used for emergency water supplies and permanent on-farm water supplies. Producers have until June 17 to apply. Send your applications to the following address, or contact my constituency office for more information:

Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program
Ministry of Agriculture
Financial Programs Branch
329 – 3085 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4S 0B1

Past Legislative Reports