Legislative Report
(26 August 2015)

P3 Model Saves Government More Than $30 Million on Construction Costs of New Schools

Martensville, Regina, Saskatoon and Warman are some of the fastest growing communities in Saskatchewan. To accommodate the unprecedented growth in these communities, we're building 18 new, publicly-owned schools at nine joint-use sites.

Each joint-use site will include 90 new child care spaces and a community centre. They will be state-of-the-art and by using a P3 model, taxpayers will end up saving more than $100 million. Construction starts this fall and will be complete before September 2017.

Second Free Fishing Weekend of the Summer

Saskatchewan has some of the best fishing in the world and everyone deserves an opportunity to cast a line in one of our province’s rivers, lakes and streams. On August 29th and 30th, you’re invited to participate in Saskatchewan’s second free fishing weekend of the summer.

Although licences are not required for residents or visitors to the province, all other fishing regulations, including possession limits, remain in effect. Free fishing weekend does not apply in national parks and anyone planning to take fish out of the province need to purchase a licence.

Learn more at saskatchewan.ca/fishing.

Government Committed to Improving Provincial Parks

With millions of visits each year, Saskatchewan’s Provincial Parks are proving to be a popular destination. As another season of adventure winds down, Provincial Parks will start to see upgrades in order to meet demand and ensure the visitor experience is better than ever before.

Funding for capital projects and upgrades to Provincial Parks will total $14.6 million in 2015-16. This funding meets our commitment to invest an additional $10 million on expansion and growth opportunities in Provincial Parks for a total investment of more than $53 million since 2012.

Some of the projects undertaken in recent years include brand new campgrounds, electrical expansion and upgrades; the replacement of visitor reception centres and campground service centres and infrastructure projects including water, wastewater, landfills and road upgrades and repairs.

New Communities to Benefit from Main Street Saskatchewan Revitalization Program

Five new communities have been accepted into the Main Street Saskatchewan Revitalization Program. Using the trademarked Main Street Four-Point Approach® of Community Organization, Economic Restructuring, Heritage Conservation/Design and Promotion, the program is designed to revitalize historic downtowns through a combination of government and private investment.

The Humboldt Downtown Improvement District and North Lakes Economic Development Corp (Town of Spiritwood) have been accepted to the program’s top Accredited tier. The Carrot River Community Branding Committee, Redvers Regional Agricultural & Commercial Endeavours Committee and North Battleford Business Improvement District Corp have been accepted at the Affiliate level.

From 2011 to 2015, the first four communities to enter the Main Street Saskatchewan program saw 132 jobs created, 43 business openings, $4.9 million committed to historic building and streetscape improvements, 44 historic buildings rehabilitated, $6.5 million in property acquisitions and more than 14,000 hours of volunteer time contributed to Main Street related activities.

Nominations Open for Province’s Highest Honour and Outstanding Volunteers

Nomination deadlines are fast approaching for both the Saskatchewan Order of Merit and the Volunteer Medal. Individuals have until October 18th to recommend nominees for the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal and until November 1st to put forward names for the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.

The Saskatchewan Order of Merit and the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal celebrate remarkable individuals who have an enormous impact in our province and beyond our borders. I encourage everyone to consider nominating a deserving individual for these prestigious honours.

The Order of Merit recognizes excellence, achievement and contributions to the social, cultural and economic well-being of the province while The Volunteer Medal recognizes those who reach outside of their personal activities to help others and make Saskatchewan daily life better for everyone.

Learn more at www.saskatchewan.ca/honoursawards.

Past Legislative Reports