Legislative Report (30 October 2008)

A Stronger Saskatchewan, A Better Life…For All Saskatchewan People

The Speech from the Throne, themed “A Stronger Saskatchewan, A Better Life” builds on last week’s historic tax cut, debt reduction and infrastructure announcement. In it, our government outlined the rest of the plan to ensure all Saskatchewan people benefit from our newfound prosperity. The Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, the Honourable Dr. Gordon L. Barnhart, rose in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to read the Speech from the Throne. Highlights include:

• implementing a new "Saskatchewan First" Crown Corporation investment policy;
• increased skills training for First Nations and Métis;
• a major commitment to Saskatchewan's libraries;
• the first increase to the Saskatchewan Income Assistance Program for seniors since 1992; and
• equitable income support and services for women and men with disabilities.

This Throne Speech clearly sets out the next chapter in our government's plan to continue the positive transformation underway in Saskatchewan.

HISTORIC COMMITMENT OF $76.9 MILLION TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Your Saskatchewan Party government announced the largest-ever investment in programming for people with intellectual disabilities, as well as the introduction of a new income plan for people with disabilities. The new $76.9 million, multi-year initiative will help people with intellectual disabilities live safe, secure and meaningful lives in their communities. The program will be phased in over a four year period and includes $27.8 million in funding for capital projects. With this investment our government will be able to help more than 400 people who are currently on a waiting list for new or expanded services. These initiatives will also introduce programming standards ensuring the appropriate level of support. People with disabilities are a priority for this government, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone in Saskatchewan benefits from the province’s prosperity.

SASKATCHEWAN FIRST

The Crown Corporations are moving to a Saskatchewan First investment policy. Crown Corporations Minister Ken Cheveldayoff announced this new policy after receiving a KPMG study that showed a rate of return of negative 15 per cent on almost a half-a-billion dollars in out-of-province investments by SaskTel, SaskPower and SaskEnergy. The investments were made over a 19-year period in places like Atlanta, Georgia and Chile. Our government took several factors into consideration while considering a SaskFirst investment policy. In our growing economy, there are opportunities for our Crown Corporations to invest within Saskatchewan, which will help benefit Saskatchewan people and to help sustain our economic momentum. Also, the Crown Corporations are owned by the people of Saskatchewan and investing outside the province has not proven beneficial to the people of Saskatchewan.

RESPONDING TO NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME SENIORS

It costs more to live in Saskatchewan these days, which is why our government is taking action to help low-income seniors. Your Saskatchewan Party government is doubling the Seniors Income Plan (SIP) for the first time since 1992. We are raising the SIP benefit (formerly known as the Saskatchewan Income Plan) from $90 to $190 per month for single seniors and from $72.50 to $155 each per month for couples. This investment will build a better life for Saskatchewan seniors as we recognize that many seniors on fixed incomes are struggling to deal with higher costs. This investment will improve quality of life by providing Saskatchewan seniors with as much as $1,200 more per year. The number of seniors eligible for the benefit will double to approximately 20,000. Through our investment we’re ensuring that all Saskatchewan people, including low-income seniors, are sharing in the benefits of our new prosperity.

ENHANCING SASKATCHEWAN LIBRARY’S

Described by the Southeast Regional Library as “the most significant [investment] since 1967,” your Saskatchewan Party government has made an almost $10 million investment in libraries, schools and regional colleges. The funding will pay for technology infrastructure enhancements. More than $5.2 million will be invested over four years in the Single Integrated Library System (SILS). SILS is cost-effective, sustainable computer platform that allows 317 local public library branches in the province’s ten public library systems to share their services. $4 million is going to be used to benefit three primary infrastructure components: the LIVE Satellite Network, CommunityNet and the Blackboard Learning Management System. Improving and maintaining our province's technology infrastructure is closely linked with growing our economy, improving our quality of life, and taking pride in where we live.

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