Legislative Report
(8 April 2009)

Full Public Consultation on Nuclear Power

Our government is keeping its commitment to consult with the public before any decision is made on nuclear power in Saskatchewan. Following the release of the Uranium Development Partnership (UDP) report, we announced a strategy to engage the public and various stakeholder groups:

1. a major stakeholder conference;
2. a series of nine community consultation meetings to be held between May 19 and June 5 in Prince Albert, Buffalo Narrows, The Battlefords, Lloydminster, Yorkton, Estevan, Swift Current, Regina and Saskatoon;
3. an opportunity for individual stakeholder organizations to provide oral and written submissions over two days with an additional day set aside for presentations from First Nations and Métis groups;
4. the launch of a website containing the full report, presentation materials, online input opportunities, and ultimately, the results of the public input, see Sask Uranium;
5. an opportunity for those who do not want to attend a meeting or do not have internet access to provide written submissions: "The Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan" P.O. Box 7, Regina, SK, S4P 2Z5; and
6. a toll free number (1-877-791-4667) for individuals to leave their name and address to receive a print copy of the Executive Summary.

Our government is committed to a thorough and extensive public consultation process. It is also important to note no decisions have been made regarding future uranium development in Saskatchewan. The public input received by the provincial government will be part of the decision making process.

Unlike the NDP, who constantly flip-flopped on uranium issues, our government has created an open, accessible and transparent process to hear the views of Saskatchewan people. We encourage all citizens to get informed and get involved.

STANDING UP TO VIOLENCE

Your Saskatchewan Party government continues to keep a promise to make communities safer. We announced funding for several initiatives that target violent crime, including:

1. $1.6 million for 30 new police officers;
2. $300,000 for three additional prosecutors;
3. Twelve officers and the three prosecutors will be split evenly between Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert;
4. Two officers will be hired under Yorkton's municipal police agreement with the RCMP;
5. The remaining 16 positions are allocated to the RCMP;
6. $3.8 million to support the RCMP National Back-up Policy that provides back-up to RCMP officers working in remote locations;
7. The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods program (SCAN) will receive $600,000 in additional funding and seven new positions, including five investigators and two support positions. These investigators will enhance SCAN's ability to evict residents from property being used for criminal activity as well as enhance the capacity to provide services to the north and rural Saskatchewan;
8. $481,000 has been allocated toward Saskatchewan's participation in a Western Canada gang database to compile, analyze and share intelligence on organized crime and gang activity; and
9. $210,000 to develop and implement a program to better assist victims of crime to collect money owned to them by offenders under restitution order.

The funding for these initiatives is contained in the 2009-10 budget.

Under the NDP, Saskatchewan had the highest crime rate in Canada. That is unacceptable and our government is taking steps to address the serious issue of violent crime.

DELIVERING ON “BOOSTER SHOT” FOR MUNICIPALITIES

Our government has delivered on its commitment to make Saskatchewan cities, towns and rural municipalities better places to live, by providing $100 million in infrastructure funding. Nearly 800 communities can now start construction and/or repairs on wastewater, transportation and recreational projects - infrastructure that has been neglected for years - but is integral to the lives of every person in each of these communities. The funding is per capita and part of the $500 million ‘economic booster shot’ announced by the Premier last February.

Municipalities gave our government a clear message - securing funding for critical infrastructure projects, such as water, municipal buildings, public health, and planning and development, was taking too long. We needed to accelerate the process - and we did just that. The speed with which we delivered this funding is unprecedented.

Further information is available on the MEEP webpage. 

MORE FUNDING FOR PARKS

Your Saskatchewan Party government is committed to making our parks even more welcoming and user-friendly. We are investing an additional $5.2 million into the provincial park system for capital projects and other improvements in 2009-10. This brings the parks capital budget for 2009-10 to $10.9 million, more than four times what it was under the NDP.

The funding will be used over the next several years to renew infrastructure within provincial parks including replacing or renovating service centres (washroom/shower facilities), boat launches, picnic shelters, park entry and campground kiosks, and picnic tables and barbecues.

This year an additional $2.2 million was earmarked for capital improvements. These include:

1. service centre upgrades in Moose Mountain and Candle Lake provincial parks;
2. new kiosks at Emma Lake Recreation Site;
3. completion of a new water control structure at Narrow Hills Provincial Park; and
4. bridge replacement at Greenwater Lake Provincial Park.

Work to electrify 1,000 more campsites also continues. A further 200 to 300 campsites will be electrified this year, including sites at Meadow Lake, Buffalo Pound and Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Parks.

LISTENING TO YOUTH

Our government is taking action to attract and retain young people in the agriculture industry. We have formed an Agriculture Youth Advisory Committee, which consists of seven members between the ages of 18 and 35, all of them actively involved in farming or ranching in Saskatchewan. The committee’s mandate is to provide recommendations to the Minister of Agriculture about youth attraction and retention in the agriculture industry. Committee members will also work with Ministry staff to develop, implement and monitor a provincial agriculture youth strategy. The Youth Advisory Committee will be operational for up to two years, meeting eight times a year. As the average age of farmers increases, it is important to engage youth. They are the key to securing a strong future for the agriculture industry.

CORNER GAS DAY

Our government has proclaimed April 13 as Corner Gas Day. The proclamation was made April 6 at the Legislature by Premier Brad Wall as he was joined by show creator and star, native of Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Brent Butt. After six great seasons, the final episode of Corner Gas airs Monday, April 13.

To Brent and the rest of the cast and crew: thanks for putting Saskatchewan on the map, giving us lots of laughs and making us proud!

Past Legislative Reports