Language

Google Translate Disclaimer

A number of pages on the Government of Saskatchewan's website have been professionally translated in French. These translations are identified by a yellow box in the right or left rail that resembles the link below. The home page for French-language content on this site can be found at:

Renseignements en Français

Where an official translation is not available, Google™ Translate can be used. Google™ Translate is a free online language translation service that can translate text and web pages into different languages. Translations are made available to increase access to Government of Saskatchewan content for populations whose first language is not English.

Software-based translations do not approach the fluency of a native speaker or possess the skill of a professional translator. The translation should not be considered exact, and may include incorrect or offensive language. The Government of Saskatchewan does not warrant the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information translated by this system. Some files or items cannot be translated, including graphs, photos and other file formats such as portable document formats (PDFs).

Any person or entities that rely on information obtained from the system does so at his or her own risk. Government of Saskatchewan is not responsible for any damage or issues that may possibly result from using translated website content. If you have any questions about Google™ Translate, please visit: Google™ Translate FAQs.

GOVERNMENT MOVES TO EXTEND SITTING HOURS OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Released on April 7, 2008

Extra Hours Needed to Ensure Enough Time to Debate Government Agenda

Government House Leader Rod Gantefoer today introduced a motion to extend the sitting hours of the Legislative Assembly to up to 13 hours a day, from 10 am to midnight with a one-hour break from 5 to 6 pm.

Gantefoer said the longer hours are needed to ensure the government's "Ready for Growth" agenda moves forward while at the same time ensuring the Official Opposition is provided sufficient time to debate government's budget estimates and proposed legislation.

"Under the new rules of the Assembly, we need to ensure the Opposition has up to 225 hours to debate the budget estimates and government bills between now and the last day of the spring sitting, which is May 15," Gantefoer said. "That simply would not be possible under the normal sitting hours of the Assembly.

"Our government has a mandate to move forward with the agenda voters supported in last fall's election, but we also have a responsibility to ensure the Opposition has sufficient time to debate and express its concerns," Gantefoer said. "We can achieve both of these objectives by sitting longer hours each day."

Under the rules of the Assembly, the government is required to allow up to 75 hours of Opposition questioning in budget estimates, five hours of debate on each of the six budget-related bills and 20 hours of debate on each of the six "specified" bills - the government's priority legislation that was introduced in December. On top of those 225 hours, additional time must be provided to debate other bills introduced by the government this spring.

Gantefoer said government MLAs are looking forward to putting in the longer hours to ensure the government's "Ready for Growth" agenda moves forward.

"No one in our government is opposed to working longer hours and frankly, I don't think anyone in Saskatchewan will be too upset to hear MLAs are working longer hours either," Gantefoer said.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Kathy Young
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8927

We need your feedback to improve saskatchewan.ca. Help us improve