Legislative Report (26 March 2009)

Historic Budget Passed:

NDP Vote No to Propety Tax Cuts,
Children's Hospital

The NDP opposition continues to demonstrate that they are unable to put partisan interests aside in order to help our province continue to move forward. Our government’s Strong and Steady budget was delivered March 18, 2009. After six days of debate a vote was held, and the budget was passed in a 36-17 vote, with all NDP MLAs voting against it.

In addition to voting against historic property tax cuts, and a long-term solution to revenue sharing, the NDP has decided to oppose a budget that finally delivers a Children’s Hospital to the people of our province. Our government recognized the need to provide the type of compassionate care the sick children of Saskatchewan deserve; the NDP on the other hand chose to drag their feet when the time came to support this initiative.

This is just another example of the NDP focusing on the issues of the past, whereas our government is taking action to ensure a strong and steady future for the people of Saskatchewan. By voting against historic measures such as the largest-ever property tax cut and Saskatchewan’s first Children’s Hospital, NDP MLA’s have shown their true colours.

HISTORIC HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

Your Saskatchewan Party government is taking action to ensure our province has the transportation infrastructure needed to keep our economy strong and steady. This year’s provincial budget contains $630 million in funding for rehabilitation and maintenance projects for Saskatchewan highways and roads. That is 19 per cent higher than last year and includes the largest amount ever for capital construction - $358 million. Work scheduled for this year includes:

• $100 million for the Rural Highway Strategy (RHS) to continue and begin 250 km of rural highway upgrades;
• $40 million to address the backlog of municipal road and bridge projects to help rural communities streamline the integration of municipal and provincial networks;
• $224 million for the maintenance, repair and repaving of 300 km of highway;
• $45 million in the rehabilitation and replacement of aging bridges and culverts;
• $19.7 million for the first stage of construction of the Global Transportation Hub west of Regina;
• $9.3 million for a new industrial area at Yorkton; and
• $10 million for a new bridge at St. Louis.

Our government is also working with the federal government to twin Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Prince Albert. This historic investment in our province’s roads and highways will help ensure the Saskatchewan economy remains strong and steady.

For more information on the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure's 2009-10 budget and projects go to their website.

INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN

Your Saskatchewan Party government has announced the first round of $61 million in capital improvements for schools across our province. The funding is contained in our 2009-10 Strong and Steady provincial budget. $6.1 million will be invested in school capital projects in 10 communities across the province. Those projects include new roofs, the addition of relocatable classrooms and a variety of upgrades including improving accessibility, air quality, asbestos removal and work on electrical systems. Two new school capital projects have also received approval-in-principal:

• The Regina Public School Division’s new school project serving the Wascana Community School and area; and
• The Conseil des écoles fransaskoises high school project in Regina.

By moving forward on these much needed infrastructure projects, our government is investing in our province’s most important resource: our children.

TELLING THE SASKATCHEWAN STORY IN EASTERN CANADA

Premier Brad Wall is making a return trip to Canada’s largest job fair. The Premier is attending the Toronto Job fair for the second year. Since the Premier I went last year, 86 Ontario families have re-located to Saskatchewan and SaskJobs.ca has received a record number of hits from eastern Canada.

The Premier is being joined by Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison, Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco and 25 Saskatchewan employers at the National Job Fair in Toronto. It is estimated 10,000 job seekers will attend the fair.

The group will also attend the Job Fair at Toronto’s Ryerson’s University, which will serve as an opportunity to promote Saskatchewan's recently-expanded Graduate Retention Program. Qualified post-secondary graduates from Saskatchewan or around Canada who choose to work in Saskatcheawn after graduation can access up to $20,000 in refundable tax credits.

Saskatchewan has been very generous sharing our people with the rest of Canada for many decades and now we want to invite them to return. We want those folks to come home and we want to attract others to come. Our government is committed to taking action to ensure Saskatchewan remains that great place to build a career and build a life.

Past Legislative Reports