PREMIER SAYS SASKATCHEWAN PEOPLE WILL BENEFIT FROM GOVERNMENT'S FIRST SESSION

Over 60 Promises Kept; Essential Services Act and "Ready for Growth" Budget Passed

Premier Brad Wall said Saskatchewan people will benefit from the actions of the new government in its first legislative session, which ends today.

"In less than six months in office, we have delivered on over 60 election promises and passed our Ready for Growth budget, which includes an unprecedented $1 billion investment in Saskatchewan hospitals, schools and highways," Wall said. "This session was about delivering on our commitments to the people of Saskatchewan and our government has done just that."

Wall said the province's economic momentum continued to increase throughout the session.

"Saskatchewan is on a roll: more than 17,000 new full-time jobs; the fastest rate of population growth in the country; forecasted to lead the nation in economic growth; record setting activity in oil and in potash; and housing starts and retail sales are up," Wall said.

"People always used to call Saskatchewan ‘next-year country'," Wall said. "Well, next year has arrived - this year."

Wall said another highlight of the session was re-balancing the province's labour legislation.

"We now have secret ballots and freedom of speech in the workplace, and we now have a new law that makes sure essential services are provided to Saskatchewan people in the event of a strike or lock-out," Wall said.

Our government will continue working to ensure that all Saskatchewan people benefit from the province's economic growth.

"If the province's financial position continues to improve over the summer, by this fall we could be in position to pay off more of the provincial debt and look at doing more to ease the tax burden on Saskatchewan families," Wall said. "I am asking all of the government MLAs to spend the coming weeks listening to their constituents about their priorities."

The next session of the Legislature is scheduled to begin in October.

For a complete list of promises kept visit http://www.gov.sk.ca/premier/promises-kept/ or http://www.gov.sk.ca/premier/promises-kept/budget08-09/.

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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