Legislative Report
(10 September 2009)

New Cities In Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has two new cities: Martensville and Meadow Lake. The recent announcement was the first time since 1913 that two towns have become cities in a single a year. This is another reflection of the historic growth our province continues to experience, despite the global recession. While the economic downturn has affected Saskatchewan, we remain relatively strong compared to other jurisdictions across Canada and around the world. Our government will continue to take action to sustain that growth.

Meadow Lake and Martensville achieving city status should not come as a surprise. Saskatchewan’s population grew by a record 15,000 people over the last year. There are now 1,027,092 people living in Saskatchewan. That is highest our population has been since 1988.

With the change in status for Meadow Lake and Martensville, there are now 15 cities in Saskatchewan, 146 towns, 266 villages, 40 resort villages, 296 rural municipalities, two northern towns, 11 northern villages and 12 northern hamlets.

SUPPORTING LOW INCOME FAMILIES

Your Saskatchewan Party government is committed to ensuring that all residents benefit from our province’s strong growth. That is why our government is raising shelter allowances for low income individuals and families for the second time this year. The changes will take effect October 1st with the Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP), Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA) and the Saskatchewan Rental Housing Supplement (SRHS) increasing due to indexing. Since our government’s changes to SAP and TEA in July 2008, major urban communities have seen a nearly 12% increase in shelter rates, while Regina and Saskatoon have seen a 25% increase. These changes will affect more than 300 families and people with disabilities in urban areas. In recognition of the rapid rise in housing costs in Estevan, residents there will now receive the same shelter allowances and SRHS benefits as Regina, Saskatoon and Lloydminster.

PREPARING FOR H1N1

Our government is working to ensure the health and safety of Saskatchewan families in the face of a possible H1N1 outbreak this fall. We have established a special cabinet committee chaired by Health Minister Don McMorris to oversee pandemic preparations in government and for the Crowns. Preparations include a strategy for timely and consistent information sharing and a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities in the event of more serious disruption caused by influenza. In addition, we are ensuring that all government bodies and affiliated agencies have updated pandemic plans to ensure that critical business functions are maintained. We are also working closely with the federal government, health regions, First Nations and other groups to finalize pandemic preparations. Additional priorities include:

• stockpiling of supplies, vaccine and antivirals;
• addressing surge capacity in acute care facilities; and
• enhanced surveillance for remote communities including First Nations reserves.

Even though most cases of H1N1 to date have been mild to moderate, we encourage people to take an active role in protecting and monitoring their own health and the health of their family, friends and co-workers by practicing good infection prevention measures.

Past Legislative Reports