Released on May 16, 2013
Premier Brad Wall said a balanced budget, continued economic strength and a new Saskatchewan Employment Act that modernizes the province’s labour legislation were the highlights of the 2012-13 legislative session which wraps up today.
“Sound financial management is the foundation of our government’s Growth Plan,” Wall said. “We are one of only a few provinces in Canada with a balanced budget – a budget that controls spending while making important investments in health, education, infrastructure and people with disabilities.”
Wall said Saskatchewan continues to be an economic leader in Canada.
“Saskatchewan just set an all-time high for job creation in April and we have the lowest unemployment rate in Canada,” Wall said. “We are closing in on 1.1 million people and our economy is leading the nation. It’s a great time to be in Saskatchewan.”
Other highlights of the legislative session include:
- Introduction of the province’s first private liquor stores;
- New laws to improve safety in highway construction zones;
- Legislation to allow Saskatchewan workers to enroll in a Pooled Registered Pension Plan (PRPP) and to allow the Saskatchewan Pension Plan to be offered as a PRPP;
- Legislation to allow a public share offering in Information Services Corporation (ISC); and
- The introduction of the Saskatchewan Advantage Grant for Education Savings (SAGES) to help families save for their children’s post-secondary education.
Wall said the spring session of the Legislature was largely overshadowed by the big story of the spring – the weather.
“That’s what Saskatchewan people were really talking about this spring,” Wall said. “First we had the winter that seemed like it would never end and then when the spring melt finally came, there was flooding to deal with in many parts of the province.
“I want to thank all the highways workers for the work they did keeping our highways safe and open through some brutal snowstorms and I want to thank all the community leaders, government officials and volunteers who put in long hours to deal with flooding in many parts of the province. Once again, this shows the determination, resilience and community spirit of Saskatchewan people.”
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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