Legislative Report (10 September 2008)

Joint Agreement with Alberta Will Benefit Saskatchewan Residents

Improved access to cancer treatment is just one of the many potential benefits created by the historic agreement signed this week between Alberta and Saskatchewan. The agreement was signed at the first-ever joint Alberta-Saskatchewan cabinet meeting in Lloydminster. The protocol of cooperation is broken down into three sections: better services for citizens, building more competitive economies, and delivering greater efficiency and value. Under those sections, the provinces have pledged to work more closely together in areas such as health, education, transportation trade and energy. Premiers Brad Wall and Ed Stelmach stressed the importance of ensuring that a continued strong energy sector is complemented by meaningful and real action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as Saskatchewan’s world-leading carbon capture initiatives. Working more closely with Alberta will ensure residents of both provinces continue to share in the benefits of prosperity. By holding such meetings, our government is planning for the future, unlike the back-ward looking NDP, who dismissed joint cabinet meetings as “unnecessary.”

ADDRESSING THE NDP LEGACY OF UNDERFUNDING OF PROVINCIAL PARKS

Our government is taking further steps to improve the quality of life for Saskatchewan residents through sharing the benefits of prosperity. As part of our ongoing commitment to upgrading and improving provincial parks, we are beginning work immediately on electrifying 140 more campsites in Buffalo Pound and Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Parks. The upgrades at Saskatchewan Landing, which include 10 completely new campsites, will be complete next year. At Buffalo Pound we are building a completely new campground with 70 electrified campsites, which is expected to be complete by spring 2010. Not only do the improvements keep a campaign promise to increase the number of electrified campsites by 1,000 in our first term, they also make good sense. Many people visiting Saskatchewan use the TransCanada Highway, so improving services along the busy corridor will help ensure they enjoy their stay. This is a far cry from what happened over the past sixteen years under the NDP. Funding for provincial parks was slashed. People were laid off, services were reduced and programs were cut. The NDP implemented user fees, such as the “wiener roast tax,” which our government eliminated earlier this year. We believe our parks system is a critical component that will help us grow a tourism industry that showcases our natural and cultural heritage.

HELPING SENIORS FACING THE CHALLENGE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Your Saskatchewan Party government has entered into a partnership to help seniors facing the challenge of affordable housing. Working with Ottawa and the City of Saskatoon, a new 51-unit facility called the Columbian Manor has opened, giving seniors the opportunity to stay in their community, close to family and friends, while receiving the care and support they need. Your Saskatchewan Party government will continue to make addressing housing needs a priority, as we explore ways to further implement the recommendations contained in the Task Force on Housing Affordability Report. Many of those recommendations were implemented almost immediately, including a 19 per cent increase in income thresholds for seniors who rely on social housing programs, higher shelter rates for low-income renters and an up to 30 per cent increase in assistance for low-income families with one or two children. Our government is committed to addressing the challenge of affordable housing and is considering sustainable and affordable tax relief that will help all Saskatchewan people, including low-income earners, deal with the rising cost of living.

Past Legislative Reports