Legislative Report (15 January 2009)

Premier Wall Takes A Clear Message From Saskatchewan People To Ottawa

A new poll commissioned by our government confirms what many of us already knew: the economy is the number one issue for Saskatchewan people. The poll also found Saskatchewan people want the upcoming federal budget to treat all regions of the country fairly. Premier Brad Wall is conveying those messages to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his fellow First Ministers.

Other key findings contained in the poll of 1,002 Saskatchewan residents included:

1. 87.4 per cent of Saskatchewan residents support increased infrastructure spending;
2. 77.9 per cent want the federal government to speed up infrastructure spending;
3. 84.3 per cent want to see increased support for the livestock industry;
4. 76.1 per cent want to see increased support for the forestry industry;
5. 49 per cent support increased financial support for the auto industry.
6. 93.1 per cent believe Saskatchewan’s economy is performing better than the rest of the country;
7. 77.3 per cent believe that Saskatchewan is on the right track;
8. 71.1 per cent believe the current instability in Parliament is making the economic crisis in Canada worse;
9. 86.1 per cent believe the recent events in Ottawa have increased the need for western provinces to work together.

Your Saskatchewan Party government is committed to bringing forward initiatives to the federal government that will keep Saskatchewan's economy strong, such as speeding up infrastructure projects and dollars.

SASKATCHEWAN PEOPLE BENEFIT FROM RECORD YEAR IN OIL AND SECTOR

Record growth in 2008 in the province’s oil and gas industry, aided by our competitive and stable tax and royalty regime, has led to substantial investment in these sectors and improved the financial prospects of our province and our people. Provincial revenues related to oil and gas have allowed for significant increases in Saskatchewan’s overall economic performance as well as record investments in infrastructure and debt reduction. Thousands of people have found employment within these industries, allowing them to secure their financial futures and improve their quality of life.

Key figures related to these sectors in 2008 include:

1. Approximately $15 billion dollars recorded in sales by the oil and gas industry;
2. Approximately $4 billion dollars invested in exploration and development activity in the province;
3. 29,000 Saskatchewan people directly or indirectly employed in these sectors; and
4. Over 4,000 oil and gas wells drilled throughout the province, an increase of 17 per cent over 2007.

Your Saskatchewan Party Government is working hard to ensure the confidence the oil and the gas industry has in our province continues, which will benefit all Saskatchewan people.

SASKATCHEWAN ECONOMY REMAINS STRONG

Though the Saskatchewan economy is not immune to the effects of the global economic downturn, key economic indicators continue to strengthen. There were almost 17,000 more people working in Saskatchewan when you compare December 2008 to December 2007. Payroll earnings experienced a year-over-year increase of four per cent. The number of building permits issued increased by almost 27 per cent between 2007 and 2008. Through measures such as job recruitment missions across Canada and around the world and a further investment in infrastructure of $1.5 billion, your Saskatchewan Party government is taking steps to ensure the province’s economy remains strong.

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