Released on March 15, 1999
Saskatchewan's Legislature begins its spring 1999 sitting today and
Premier Roy Romanow said he is looking forward to getting down to
legislative work.
"We're focussing on the people's business and the people's agenda --
health care, education, the economy and safe communities," Romanow
said. "A step at a time, with balance and common sense, we're going
to make some good progress this session on the issues the people of
Saskatchewan tell us matter to them."
Lieutenant-Governor Jack Weibe delivered the 1999 Throne Speech today,
outlining the government's key priorities for the session.
On economic development: "Our Throne Speech reports on the good
progress the people of Saskatchewan have made to date," Romanow said.
"Together we turned around a frightening financial situation left to
us by the former Tory government; we've made a good start at paying
down the $15 billion provincial debt; we've lowered taxes every year
since 1995; we've created almost 30,000 new jobs; and led Canada in
economic growth for six of the past seven years.
"As everyone knows, a downturn in farm and oil prices has created
some challenges for our economy this year. But diversification
is well on the road to creating a new economy, allowing us to
maintain employment and to continue to grow. The Throne Speech
outlines our plan to keep building on that new economy. There
will be some more important news on this front in the upcoming
budget."
Legislation will be introduced to help new-model co-operatives
create more jobs and economic development.
On education: "The Throne Speech underlines the critical
importance of K-12 and post-secondary education to our province
and our children," Romanow said.
The Throne Speech outlines the government's commitments in this
area, which include:
Stronger pre-kindergartens, to help disadvantaged students
get the best possible start;
Implementation of the core curriculum and making it more
accessible to parents and teachers;
Providing broader access to computers and other technology;
Providing good, safe schools; and
A new "Role of the Schools Task Force," bringing together
government, teachers, trustees and other stakeholders to
help define the next steps for our school system.
Legislation will be introduced to fundamentally reform
Saskatchewan's apprenticeships system part of the government's
ambitious workforce training plan.
On health care: "Our government knows there is a great deal of
work left to do to make sure we're delivering the kind of health
care the people of Saskatchewan expect and deserve," Romanow
said. "There are some real challenges facing our health system.
We've made some mistakes. This year's long-delayed federal
reinvestment in health care and the substantial resources we're
also going to be putting into health this year, are going to
allow us to address some of the key issues facing the system."
The Throne Speech spells out the government's next steps to
improve health care:
Reducing waiting times for important procedures;
Improving cancer treatment;
A multi-year plan for better women's health services;
Working with health providers to fairly and sustainably
improve working conditions so they can provide better care;
and
Further reductions in the administrative costs of health
care.
Legislation will be introduced reinforcing Saskatchewan's
commitment to the Canada Health Act and its principles and to
begin implementing the new Agreement on Canada's Social Union, by
expanding the right of citizens to information about the quality
of their health care and to be heard and seek redress within the
health system.
On safe communities: "The people of Saskatchewan want to know
they are safe in their homes, on their streets, in their
communities," Romanow said. "We intend to continue to work
closely with police and prosecutors to deal with that small group
of criminals who commit most of the crime."
The government's plan includes:
Building on the successes of the Serious Crimes Task Force
and the Serious and Habitual Youth Offender Comprehensive
Action Plan (SHOCAP);
Continuing to press for appropriate changes to the federal
Young Offenders Act, now under review in Parliament;
Introducing measures to further improve police and emergency
services; and
Working with people and communities to turn around the
causes that often lead to crime -- such as poverty,
unemployment, substance abuse and family violence.
Legislation will be introduced to improve services for children
caught up in the sex trade and to toughen up penalties for adults
who abuse these children.
On democratic reform: The government announced in the Throne
Speech today that legislation will be introduced to require MLAs
to resign their seats and to run in by-elections before crossing
the floor to sit with another party.
"I regret that it has proved necessary to introduce this
legislation," Romanow said. "But we firmly believe that citizens
have the right to have the decisions they make during elections
respected, until they have the opportunity to vote again."
The government intends to introduce about fifty pieces of
legislation this session.
The provincial budget will be introduced on Friday, March 26th.
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For more information, contact:
Julianne Jack
Media Services
Regina Phone: (306)787-6349
