Released on October 22, 2008
Throne Speech Outlines Renewed Agenda for Continuing Growth and Sharing Prosperity
Premier Brad Wall said today's Speech from the Throne is designed to create a stronger Saskatchewan and a better life for Saskatchewan people by ensuring that economic growth continues, and that all Saskatchewan people share in the province's new prosperity.
"Yesterday, I announced our government's plan for lower taxes, debt reduction and rebuilding Saskatchewan's infrastructure, while still maintaining a significant cash reserve to protect our province from today's economic uncertainty," Wall said. "Today's Throne Speech builds on those announcements by outlining the rest of our government's plan for a stronger Saskatchewan and a better life for Saskatchewan people."
Wall said his government has already delivered on most of its campaign commitments, with a few major ones like education tax reform, a "Patient First" health care review and a new agreement for municipal revenue sharing to be completed in the coming months.
"This Throne Speech outlines a number of new measures our government will be taking to ensure our province's prosperity is shared with everyone," Wall said.
These include:
- Equitable income support and services for women and men with disabilities;
- The first increase to the Saskatchewan Income Assistance Program for seniors since 1992;
- Improvements to programs and services for children at risk;
- Long term, stable funding agreements for agencies helping the most vulnerable in our province;
- Exploring the potential of clean coal and nuclear energy - alternatives that create economic activity and significantly reduce our carbon footprint;
- The establishment of Innovation Saskatchewan, a pivotal new agency designed to build the knowledge economy of tomorrow and add diversity to our strong resource economy.
- Stronger measures to combat gang activities;
- A new "Saskatchewan First" Crown Corporation investment policy;
- A major commitment to Saskatchewan's libraries, to assist in providing early learning programs, literacy training and support for community development;
- Democratic reforms, including Senate elections and restrictions on government advertising prior to provincial elections; and
- Increased skills training for First Nations and Métis.
"Saskatchewan people like the growth and opportunity they are seeing in the new Saskatchewan and they want it to continue," Wall said. "This Throne Speech clearly sets out the next chapter in our government's plan to continue the positive transformation we've been seeing in our province, over the past year."
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For more information, contact:
Kathy Young
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8927