Legislative Report
(3 December 2009)

Fall Session Summary

During the fall session of the legislature, our government took action to ensure Saskatchewan continues to move forward.

• We promised that within four years no one will have to wait longer than 3 months for surgery.
• Our kids will soon receive further protection from second-hand smoke; thanks to legislation we introduced which bans smoking inside vehicles with children under the age of 16 in them.
• Effective January 1, 2010, talking on a cell phone or texting while driving will be against the law.
• We introduced legislation that will better protect consumers from artificially-high ticket prices for concerts and other events.

We also took action to address the challenge of lower potash revenues. In the end, the budget remains balanced, historic tax cuts will stay in place and the provincial debt has been reduced by 40 per cent, all within two years.

Saskatchewan is moving forward. How do we know that?

Our economy continues to be one of the strongest in Canada. We have the best job creation record in the country. Saskatchewan has the lowest unemployment rate in the country. Most economic forecasters are predicting Saskatchewan will lead the country in economic growth next year. Our population has grown by 16,000 people over the past year. That is the fastest rate of population growth in more than 50 years.

In a new report, the Fraser Institute states Saskatchewan is closing the gap on Alberta in terms of being one of the best investment climates in Canada.

People moving to Saskatchewan, whether it’s for the first time or they’re coming home after years in another province, are finding they earn more and get to keep more of what they earn, thanks to historic income and property tax cuts. They now live in a place where the government balances budgets and cuts debt. Their children attend new schools. The roads and highways they drive on are being fixed and upgraded.

When our government took office, Saskatchewan’s debt stood at $6.8 billion. Today that debt stands at $4.2 billion and there has been a net improvement in Saskatchewan’s financial position $2 billion over the past two years.

Since his return from Alberta, all NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter has done is run Saskatchewan down. Lingenfelter uses words like “grumpy,” “freefall,” and “bust” when talking about Saskatchewan people and our economy. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, the NDP choose to focus on the negative. Their old-style politics represents a time in Saskatchewan when our economy and population were shrinking.

As we move forward, your Saskatchewan Party government will continue to keep promises and take action to improve the lives of Saskatchewan families.

Past Legislative Reports