A VISION. A PLAN. A FUTURE WIDE OPEN.

"A Vision. A Plan. A Future Wide Open." Those eight words formed the title of the 2003 Speech from the Throne presented today to open the fourth session of the Twenty-Fourth Saskatchewan Legislature.

The speech was delivered in the Legislative Assembly by Saskatchewan's Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Lynda Haverstock. It describes the government's five point plan:

- Expanding our economy;

- Providing quality education and training;

- Ensuring protection of our environment;

- Securing medicare into the future; and

- Providing support for secure families and vibrant communities.

"The Speech from the Throne documents how the government's plan is successfully opening the doors of Saskatchewan to a wide open future," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "The government's integrated plan is working. It is achieving economic growth and diversification. It is improving our quality of life. It is a balanced and sustainable plan. It is creating new opportunities and assisting Saskatchewan people to take advantage of the resulting business and job possibilities."

The speech outlined measures supporting economic expansion and diversification in agriculture, oil and gas development, mining, forestry, and small and medium businesses. It noted that further expansion of the economy would result from provincial government investment in infrastructure programs, including a multi-year Building for the Future capital plan.

The speech said the government remains committed to a responsive and evolving Crown sector, which will invest $650 million in Saskatchewan this year to extend and renew telecommunications, power and natural gas utilities. During the past eight years, the Crowns have returned $1.6 billion to the people of Saskatchewan to support government services and programs.

Several factors were outlined that have made Saskatchewan attractive for private sector investment in business development:

- High quality infrastructure;

- No payroll taxes or health care premiums;

- Reduced personal and business income taxes;

- Lower operating costs than elsewhere in western Canada; and

- A well-trained, stable workforce.

The speech announced that, as part of the continuing Wide Open Future campaign, the Premier, together with business and community leaders, will lead Team Saskatchewan visits to key Canadian centres this fall to promote the advantages of the province.

The speech addressed the importance of the formative years of childhood in achieving our potential as adults. It also noted that Saskatchewan's expanding economy, together with "baby-boomer" retirements, will create many new employment opportunities over the next 15 years, making post-secondary education and training increasingly important.

The speech highlighted a number of education and training achievements. Provincial grants per K-12 student have increased 42 per cent over the past five years. There are 4,700 training spaces in Saskatchewan for health professional and home care training. More than 150 credit courses are now available on line via Campus Saskatchewan. The Province provides scholarships, bursaries and grants to more than 11,000 post-secondary students and training and apprenticeship allowances to 5,500 others. The provinces' universities, SIAST campuses, and regional colleges support 90,000 enrolments each year.

The speech also stated that changes will be proposed to Legislative Committees that will strengthen the role of members and give the public a greater say in the legislature. The changes were unanimously recommended by the Assembly's Special Committee on Rules and Procedures.

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For More Information, Contact:

Rob Cunningham Director, Media Services Regina Phone: (306)787-6349