PREMIER ANNOUNCES NEW AND ENHANCED PROGRAMS FOR RURAL RESIDENTS

Premier Brad Wall made several announcements today that will help rural residents live, work and prosper in Saskatchewan. Wall made the announcements at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities 2009 Annual Convention.

"I admire our farmers, ranchers and rural residents and the contributions they make to our rural economy and our entire province," Wall said. "The programs I'm announcing today are designed to help those residents in their daily lives, and consequently, make our province an even better place to live."

Wall announced a reinstated Farmyard Line Relocation Program, an enhanced Predation Program, a renewed Gopher Control Rebate Program and expanded Municipal Roads Programs.

SaskPower is introducing initiatives for rural Saskatchewan residents to help reduce the risk of power line contacts and improve productivity in farming operations. The aging electrical distribution system is under going much needed upgrades including moving existing overhead lines in fields to road allowances. Many of these lines date back to the 1950s. As well, SaskPower is reinstating the Farmyard Line Relocation Program. The cost-share program will pay 75 per cent of the cost to place these overhead lines underground, and the customer will pay the remaining 25 per cent, to a maximum of $2,000.

The provincial government will continue to rebate farmers, ranchers, RMs and First Nations for 50 per cent of the costs of controlling gophers in 2009. The province will contribute nearly $3 million for the rebate as part of a $4 million comprehensive Pest Control program.

The province will be expanding the Municipal Roads Programs. Previously the Municipal Bridges, Heavy Haul, Roads to Resources and Clearing the Path programs shared $20 million in funding. The government will significantly enhance that funding in the upcoming budget and will rely on SARM to make key decisions on how it is distributed.

Wall also indicated his government will be keeping a campaign commitment to achieve a fairer balance for education funding and reduce the education portion of the property tax.

"We have already kept over 100 of our election promises, and on Budget Day, one week from today, we will keep another promise," Wall said.

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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