Legislative Report (23 July 2008)

Saskatchewan on the National Stage

Premier Brad Wall pressed Saskatchewan’s position on many priorities at the recent Council of the Federation in Quebec City. With greenhouse gas reduction dominating the discussion, Premier Wall took the opportunity to tell his fellow leaders about Saskatchewan’s world-leading efforts in the area of clean coal and carbon capture. While politicians in eastern Canada talk about reducing climate change by implementing a carbon tax or a cap and trade system, carbon research projects here have already captured millions of tonnes of CO2. Saskatchewan is taking action today on reducing greenhouse gasses, while other jurisdictions talk about it.

Premier Wall called the labour mobility agreement that was reached at the Council of the Federation a “common sense” approach to dealing with the interprovincial migration of trades people and professionals. Under the agreement, professional and trade credentials gained in one province will be recognized across Canada. The “one step” accreditation will assist at least 30 different professions and trades by the spring of 2009, making it easier for qualified workers to move from province to province and help address Saskatchewan’s labour shortage.

Premier Wall also agreed to host a federal/provincial conference this fall on housing after the Premiers discussed the challenges faced in all jurisdictions. There was agreement on the importance of renewing several cost sharing agreements and federal supports for housing. This is in addition to our own Task Force on Housing Affordability which presented its report in June. To date, the government has acted quickly and responded to fulfil a number of the priority recommendations made by the Task Force. Our government is committed to finding a long-term solution for the challenge of affordable housing faced by many Saskatchewan families.

KEEPING OUR PROMISE: NEW OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES FACING THE CHALLENGE OF ADHD

During the election campaign, our government promised to expand the number of drugs on the provincial formulary. We are continuing to keep that promise by adding two new drugs which will help Saskatchewan families who have loved ones with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. As of July 1, two new ADHD drugs, Concerta and Straterra, were placed on the Saskatchewan Formulary. These drugs are major improvements over older medications like Ritalin. You only have to take them once a day and they are harder to break down and abuse. Straterra will require Exception Drug Status, which means your doctor will have to make a special request for coverage. For children, those prescriptions will cost no more than $15.00 under our government’s Children’s Drug Plan, another campaign promise. Prior to being placed on the formulary, getting a prescription filled for Concerta cost $110.00; for Straterra, the cost was $164.00

KEEPING FIRST NATIONS FAMILIES TOGETHER 

Your Saskatchewan Party government’s new relationship with Ottawa will help First Nations families. A $104.9 million agreement between the province, the federal government and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations will provide First Nations Child and Family Service Agencies with new resources. The agencies will be able to help support families at-risk by providing services and tools to help them care for their children, allowing for options other than taking a child out of the home. Together with our federal and First Nations partners, we share a commitment to ensuring Saskatchewan children grow up happy and healthy in a safe, nurturing environment.

BUILDING NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE RELATIONSHIPS

Our government’s commitment to building national and international trade relationships took another step forward this week, when we joined the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER). PNWER consists of B.C., Alberta, Yukon, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and now Saskatchewan. Membership in PNWER will provide the opportunity for Saskatchewan to build on existing trading relationships and develop new ones in order to sustain and strengthen the province's current economic momentum.

SASK ECONOMY CONTINUES TO LEAD THE COUNTRY

The latest retail sales numbers suggest Saskatchewan people have never had more confidence in our economy. Retail sales in May were up 14.1 per cent, to $1.4 billion, ranking number one in Canada. We were also number one in May in wholesale trade, experiencing a staggering 44.1 per cent increase over 2007. The national rate was only 1.2 per cent. At home, across the country and around the world, confidence in the Saskatchewan economy is high. Our government is committed to sustaining that economic momentum, but we need your help. In this time of unprecedented economic prosperity, we want to know what your priorities are. Premier Wall asked MLAs to spend the summer finding out what people think the best ways to share the benefits of growth, and we are doing that. You can also provide input on-line, by going to the Saskatchewan Party Caucus website.

If you have a question about this Legislative Report or any other matter, just Contact Don.

Past Legislative Reports

Past Legislative Reports