Legislative Report
(14 February 2019)

Strong Job Growth Continues

Saskatchewan has now seen strong job growth for six consecutive months.

Saskatchewan’s year-over-year employment increased by 7,700 jobs from January 2018. The job gains were split between full-time and part-time increases, with full-time up 4,400 jobs and part-time up 3,200 jobs.

This is encouraging to see in spite of economic headwinds we have been faced with in recent months. We will continue to work hard and stand up for our province to ensure this positive economic trend continues.

Revenue Sharing Increases for Municipalities

Your Saskatchewan Party government committed to working with municipalities to develop a new, stable revenue sharing formula that works for everyone. Today we have a new, predictable, sustainable and transparent formula that will see municipalities receive 4% more as part of the 2019-20 provincial budget.

Saskatchewan’s municipal revenue sharing formula is now based on three quarters of one point of the provincial sales tax (PST) revenue collected from the fiscal year two years prior to the current year. This means a consistent source of unconditional provincial revenue for municipalities to invest in local priorities.

The adjusted revenue sharing formula recognizes our current fiscal reality and evolves this key provincial program. In a balanced 2019-20 provincial budget, Saskatchewan municipalities will see an overall funding increase of more than $10 million, bringing the total amount to $251 million next fiscal year.

From 2007-08 to the current fiscal year, Saskatchewan municipalities overall have received more than $2.6 billion in provincial funding through the revenue sharing program.

Support for Mental Health Initiatives

Targeted funding is now providing more intensive supports for people living with complex, persistent mental health challenges in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, North Battleford, Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Yorkton and Weyburn.

Multi-disciplinary Community Recovery Teams with a total of 40 new full-time employees are now using a holistic and team-based approach to help clients manage symptoms, achieve goals, avoid hospitalization, and thrive.>/p>

Investment in mental health continues to be a priority for our government.

A focus on improving access to services also continues in other ways as crisis teams pairing police officers with mental health professionals are fully operational in Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Yorkton and Prince Albert.

In Saskatchewan you can always call HealthLine 811 for free, confidential professional mental health support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also learn more about mental health services online at Saskatchewan.ca.

Family Day Free Fishing Weekend

With Saskatchewan’s Family Day holiday fast approaching, residents and visitors are encouraged to participate in the annual winter free fishing weekend February 16-18. Each year in conjunction with Family Day, people are encouraged to try ice fishing at no cost and enjoy Saskatchewan’s natural beauty in the winter.

Residents and visitors may fish in any waterbody that has an open sport fishing season without purchasing a fishing license.

Anglers are reminded to use caution and common sense, and always put safety first when going out on the ice. This includes testing the ice thickness before you travel on it. A minimum of 10 cm of good ice is required for walking and 30 cm for light vehicle travel.

Anyone planning to take advantage of free fishing weekend is reminded that all other fishing regulations, including possession limits and reduced limits on some lakes and rivers, remain in effect.

Free fishing weekend does not apply in national parks and anyone planning to take fish out of the province must purchase a license.

More information about fishing in Saskatchewan can be found online at Saskatchewan.ca/fishing.

Past Legislative Reports