SASKATCHEWAN PEOPLE BENEFIT FROM GOVERNMENT VISION AND ACTION

The Calvert government acted on its vision during the fall sitting of the legislature with legislation and announcements that will directly benefit Saskatchewan people.

"We enter our second century with a vision for a province with a green and prosperous economy, an unbreakable social fabric and strong and diverse communities, where no one is left behind," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "Our work this session focused on building on that vision for Saskatchewan people today and for generations to come."

A key piece of legislation passed in the fall sitting will keep communities safe and protect people by curtailing gang activity. The government also passed legislation that, as a last resort, will give parents of drug-addicted youth the option of seeking involuntary detoxification and stabilization through the courts. Legislation to make roads safer by targeting impaired drivers was introduced.

The government also passed new rules to make it easier for municipalities to enforce parking tickets, and legislation to further protect Saskatchewan's approximately 700 professional firefighters by expanding workers' compensation coverage to include additional job-related cancers and illnesses.

This fall, the government also passed legislation to provide a tax credit of up to 55 per cent for film and video producers. This will ensure Saskatchewan remains one of the most competitive places in Canada for film and video production, while encouraging the development and support of local film industry workers.

During the sitting the government posted the 2005-06 Mid-Year Financial Report which included an $873 million improvement in the province's bottom line, mainly due to high oil and gas prices. The government also outlined a plan to direct the money to numerous commitments and priorities of Saskatchewan people. Highlights include:

• $139.5 million for home-heating cost relief and energy conservation through the Saskatchewan Energy Share initiative;

• $79 million in permanent debt reduction;

• $65.6 million for the Roads to Prosperity initiative to improve roads in northern Saskatchewan as well as improve the social and economic well-being of northern residents;

• $84.2 million to top up the CAIS program for the 2005 crop year; and

• $100 million for the Academic Health Sciences Centre in Saskatoon.

The province also announced $30.1 million in funding to assist Community-Based Organizations in attracting and retaining workers, and $5.5 million to expand SIAST campuses in Saskatoon and Moose Jaw to better meet the needs of the Saskatchewan labour market. As well, $2 million was announced for a task force to investigate missing person cases in Saskatchewan, and $745,000 this year and $2 million annually to suppress gang activity. Between these two initiatives, a total of 24 police, prosecutions and intelligence positions will be created in the province.

The province also designated Highway 2 between Moose Jaw and Prince Albert as "Veterans Memorial Highway" as a permanent tribute to the Saskatchewan men and women who have served their country and a fitting end to the Year of the Veteran.

"Saskatchewan celebrated the Centennial with the heart, humanity and hospitality for which we are world famous," Calvert said. "We are now living the vision of the generations that came before us. We are poised to take that vision to new heights in our second century."

The fall sitting was the start of the second session of the 25th Legislature, the first legislative session of Saskatchewan's second century. The session will resume in spring, 2006.

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