Legislative Report (22 April 2009)

Trespassing Bill Passed

Your Saskatchewan Party government is taking steps to protect your property, through the passage of a new trespassing law. Under The Trepass to Property Act, it is an offence to enter someone’s property if there is a “Do Not Trepass” sign or if the resident tells them to stay off. It also makes it an offence to stay on someone’s property once you have been told to leave. The maximum allowable fine is $2,000. The law is not in effect yet.

This legislation is the result of requests made by many groups, including rural municipalities, shopping centers, and police forces. They have all requested legislation that permits the prosecution of trespassers. Our government is taking action to ensure the safety and security of Saskatchewan people and their communities.

SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS

Your Saskatchewan Party government is honouring and respecting the heroic contributions of our soldiers through “Support our Troops” decals on all government vehicles. The decals acknowledgement the important contribution made by Saskatchewan men and women serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. The decals incorporate the symbolic yellow ribbon with green from the Saskatchewan flag, the Saskatchewan Coat of Arms and a red maple leaf. Through the “Support Our Troops” decals and the recently-announced Scholarship of Honour for returning veterans and their children, our government recognizes the contributions of the Saskatchewan members of the military.

MORE NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN GROUP HOMES

Through an increase of $1.7 million to daily food allowances, Saskatchewan people living in group homes are going to enjoy better quality and more nutritious meals. The additional funding will nearly double the food allowance provided to group homes that serve people with intellectual disabilities and at-risk children. In group homes for the intellectually disabled, the daily food allowance will increase from $4.85 per person per day to $9.00. For at-risk children, the rate will go from $5.00 per child per day to $9.00. The daily food allowance was identified as a pressing issue at last fall’s Community-Based Organization (CBO) summits. Through this funding, our government is showing our committed support for CBO’s and the important work they do for Saskatchewan people.

BUILDING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Your Saskatchewan Party government is not sitting back and riding out the global recession. We are working to establish new and stronger global markets for our products. This week the Minister of Enterprise and Innovation led a delegation to Turkey to strengthen agricultural trade ties. The focus of the mission is a major international pulse industry convention. Saskatchewan is the undisputed leader in Canadian pulse exports producing 99 per cent of Canada's lentils and chickpeas, and over three quarters of its pea crop. Additionally, meetings are scheduled with various government and business interests with an emphasis on Saskatchewan's position as a major producer of pulse crops.

Saskatchewan has also signed a 2 year Memorandum of Intent (MOI) with Vietnam’s Hung Yen province. The MOI formally establishes a desire by both provinces for increased mutual understanding and closer economic and technological co-operation. The agreement will serve as the basis for identifying and exploring partnerships specifically in the area of agricultural biotechnology with the opportunity to expand co-operation to include other areas of mutual interest like labour, employment and educational training. If Saskatchewan is to sustain its economic strength in the global context, we need to seek out creative ways to co-operate with other jurisdictions in the pursuit of innovation and growth.

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