Legislative Report (26 June 2008)

Saskatchewan on The National Stage

Peter Mansbridge is the most recent high profile journalist to feature Saskatchewan. The anchor of the CBC’s The National read the news from Saskatoon this week. Half of the program was dedicated to the “economic powerhouse” Saskatchewan has become. Mansbridge did a one-on-one interview with Premier Brad Wall, where he talked about sustaining the growth and ensuring everyone shares in the economic benefits. At the end of the interview, Mansbridge asked the Premier if being the person who had to manage one of the “leading economies in the world right now” kind of “freaked him out.” This was Premier Wall’s response:

“Well, I’ll tell you this…we’re grateful for this opportunity, I’m grateful for it. I think I’m probably the luckiest guy in Canada. We were sworn in on Wednesday, celebrated a birthday Saturday, and the Riders won the Grey Cup Sunday. Someone came up to me and said, man, you better buy a lottery ticket.”

To view the special features on Saskatchewan that were aired check this link on the CBC Television website.

PROMISE KEPT: BUILDING PRIDE IN OUR PARKS

Our government is keeping its promise to improve our provincial parks so that residents can continue to enjoy them for years to come. We are making a $20 million investment in parks over the next four years. This year alone we are spending $5 million on improvements, including electrifying 302 campsites. With this investment we are well on our way to our goal of electrifying 1000 sites over our first term as government. With these improved campsites, Saskatchewan families can enjoy a vacation closer to home and have more opportunity to plug-in while out camping. These improvements will take place in parks across the province. They also compliment other initiatives such as eliminating the “wiener roast” tax and expanding the campground reservation service, Reserve-A-Site.

HIGHEST POPULATION GROWTH – HIGHEST DECREASE IN EI

People from across the country and around the world are being drawn to the new direction set by your Saskatchewan Party government. The first three months of 2008 saw the highest quarterly population increase in decades. Over the past year, our population has grown by almost 18,000 people with close to 4,000 of them coming from outside of Canada. Our growing population and growing economy are signs that Saskatchewan’s new prosperity is here to stay. This continued growth is helping the province meet the labour shortage that has developed.

Also helping ease the labour crunch is the 16 per cent decrease in the number of people receiving Employment Insurance over the past 12 months. We learned this week Saskatchewan had the highest decrease in the number of people collecting employment insurance from March to April. The decrease of 4.6 percent was more than double that of the next closest province, Manitoba, at 2.1 per cent. The decreasing EI numbers show that our government is on the right path and that Saskatchewan is continuing to move forward as a leader in Canada.

QUICK RESPONSE TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING REPORT

Our government is acting quickly to help those most affected by escalating housing costs in Saskatchewan by implementing the priority recommendations made by the Task Force on Housing Affordability. Just three short weeks after the Task Force released its report, your Saskatchewan Party government introduced changes that will provide immediate relief to individuals and families. Beginning August 1st, the shelter rates for low-income renters will be increased in the Saskatchewan Assistance Program, Transitional Employment Allowance and Saskatchewan Rental Housing Supplement. In total, the enhancements will immediately benefit approximately 6,500 households at an annual cost of $11.3 million. That means for a Saskatoon family with one or two children will see an increase of up to $189 a month, or 21 per cent. Your Saskatchewan Party government is also developing a longer-term response to housing challenges. It is important that in this time of economic prosperity, nobody gets left behind. Our government will continue to work on more innovative solutions in the months ahead.

SASKATCHEWAN SECURES FEDERAL MONEY FOR NEW SASKATOON BRIDGE

The NDP were always asking for hand-outs from Ottawa. Not your Saskatchewan Party government. We’re rolling up our sleeves and working in cooperation with the federal government and it’s paying off. It was announced this week that the federal government is providing $86.5 million in funding for a new south bridge in Saskatoon. This new bridge will ensure Saskatoon is ready to handle the challenges created by rapid growth. Our government will match the federal investment of $86.5 million, and the City of Saskatoon will provide $70 million of the $240 million project. This new era of cooperation is a far cry from the combative, confrontational relationship the NDP had with Ottawa and means Saskatchewan people will continue to see the results of this partnership.

SHARING THE BENEFITS

Saskatchewan is experiencing unprecedented economic growth and Premier Brad Wall has asked all government MLAs to spend the summer listening to the priorities of their constituents. A link has been added to the Government website to give you the opportunity to submit your ideas online. To do so, please visit Government of Saskatchewan website and click on “Sharing the benefits.” The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2008 and all responses will be kept confidential. Your response is important to us and we look forward to hearing your ideas on what the government should do with the benefits of our growing economy.

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