Legislative Report (5 June 2008)

STARRING ROLE FOR PREMIER BRAD WALL ON THE NATIONAL STAGE

Premier Brad Wall took the lead on important issues such as a national carbon tax, when he hosted the recent Western Premiers Conference in Prince Albert. Premier Wall opposed the implementation of a carbon tax, warning it would have a dramatic negative impact on the economic momentum that is currently driving the New West. Gone are the days of Saskatchewan being a bit player on the national stage. Later this month, the CBC’s the National will air from Saskatoon, with a focus on Saskatchewan’s prosperity. The program will feature an exclusive interview with Premier Brad Wall.

ECONOMIC TURNAROUND FOR SMALL-TOWN SASKATCHEWAN

Small-town Saskatchewan is enjoying the benefits of unprecedented economic growth. Respected agriculture journalist Kevin Hursh says there’s been a real turnaround in rural Saskatchewan over the last couple of years. In some communities, house prices have tripled. For 16 years, the NDP ignored the concerns of people who lived outside the cities. Your Saskatchewan Party government’s commitment to rural Saskatchewan can be seen in things like improved Crop Insurance, lower education property taxes for farmers, and a multi-million dollar solution for drought conditions in southwest Saskatchewan.

NO SIGN OF HOT SASKATCHEWAN ECONOMY SLOWING DOWN

A new TD bank report says Saskatchewan will lead the country in economic growth through at least 2010. The TD Bank says demand for our abundant resources, such as oil, uranium and potash, is one of the major drivers of our economy. Our government is ensuring that will continue to happen, by doing things such as maintaining stable royalty rates for oil and gas. We are also already acting on several challenges identified in the report, such as infrastructure and First Nations and Métis employment. On infrastructure, for example, our Ready for Growth budget contained a $1 billion investment in highways, hospitals and schools. The TD Bank also says a bust isn’t likely, because there is such strong demand for our natural resources. As a matter of fact, the TD Bank states if Saskatchewan were a country, by 2010 we could sit as high as third place in per-capita GDP among the 30 member countries of the OECD, above the United States. Your Saskatchewan Party government has a plan to handle the unprecedented growth we’re experiencing.

RECOGNIZING SASKATCHEWAN FARM FAMILIES

Our government recognizes the important role farm families play in Saskatchewan. Over the next month, 325 families will receive 2008 ISC Century Farm Family awards. The only criteria are you have to have farmed the same land for 100 years. One event has already been held in Saskatoon. In the coming weeks, there will be award ceremonies in Yorkton, Swift Current and Regina.

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