GOVERNMENT CONTINUES PROGRESS ON ITS COMMITMENTS

The government continued its support of Saskatchewan people, families and communities in the spring session of the legislature.

"In the fall Speech from the Throne, we outlined our vision for a province that is the best place to live, work and raise a family," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "Our goal is to build a future for children and young people so they can enjoy safe, healthy and prosperous lives right here in Saskatchewan. Our vision is now reflected in the budget and legislation passed in this session. That is real progress."

Highlights include:

- significant property tax relief for farmers;

- increased funding for communities through revenue sharing and the Community Share program;

- a program to assist with high energy costs; and

- the budget passed in this session significantly reduces taxes for business, freezes university tuition for an additional two years, increases training and job opportunities and provides the largest health budget ever.

"We are committed to building an economy that is both green and prosperous, communities that are healthy and diverse, and a province with an unbreakable social fabric," Calvert added. "Our budget contributes toward these goals in a significant way, while at the same time increasing our competitive advantage as a province, providing tax relief for businesses and farm families and reducing the province's debt permanently.

"We also look forward to the federal government fulfilling commitments to Aboriginal people through the Kelowna Accord with adequate funding to meet the targets established by the provinces and First Nations."

Another area of concern is the Conservative government's phase-out of the federal commitment to the early learning and child care system, which would have provided $146 million over five years to Saskatchewan families. The government will continue to support families and children through its made-in-Saskatchewan solution, by honouring existing provincial funding and commitments such as wage increases for early childhood educators and funding for additional child care spaces.

Legislation passed this session includes a bill that provides tradespeople with $3 million dollars in annual tax savings when purchasing or replacing tools. A number of bills addressed the need to enhance the safety and security that people feel in their homes and communities, and as consumers in the marketplace. To that end, the government passed legislation related to victims of crime; established a new police complaints commission; amended legislation to prevent children from buying or renting violent or sexually explicit video games. It also set out new rules for the sale of services by gyms, health clubs, travel clubs, talent agencies and sport or dance studios and added regulations to allow the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Unit to shut down houses or businesses for additional types of illegal activity such as child sexual exploitation and the manufacture of drugs.

During the Spring 2006 legislative session, MLAs and guests participated in a special ceremony and celebration to honour the treaty relationship in Saskatchewan on the occasion of the Centennial Anniversary of the Legislature's first sitting. The province was also honoured to host the first visit to Saskatchewan by Canada's new Governor General Michaëlle Jean. As well, Saskatchewan athletes and support staff who participated in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2006 were honoured by Lieutenant Governor Lynda Haverstock and Premier Lorne Calvert who presented them with Centennial Medals and gifts from the Province.

"It has been a full and busy session. However, our work will continue beyond the session, as we begin planning for the fall agenda and next year's budget. In particular, members of this government have begun long-term work on key areas of importance to Saskatchewan people, including accessibility and affordability of education, overtime provisions for Northerners, and the future potential of the music industry," Calvert said.

The next legislative session is expected to begin with a Speech from the Throne in late fall, 2006.

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Jay Branch Media Services Regina Phone: (306) 787-6349 Cell: (306) 539-3994