GOVERNMENT SETS BOLD, NEW GOAL FOR REDUCING SURGICAL WAIT TIMES

Goal is to Have Surgical Wait Times Reduced to Three Months Within Four Years

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall today announced the province has set a new goal for the health care system - ensuring that no one waits more than three months for surgery. The goal is outlined in the 2009 Speech from the Throne, read today in the Saskatchewan Legislature. Wall said the government wants to achieve this goal within four years.

Other health care initiatives outlined in the Throne Speech include:

• Re-establishing a provincial addictions treatment agency;
• Tighter control on the number of needles exchanged and distributed through needle-exchange programs for drug users to make these programs more equitable;
• Further steps to reduce tobacco use;
• Continuing to ensure Saskatchewan is well-prepared for a second wave of H1N1 influenza;
• Continued focus on the recruitment of doctors and nurses; and
• Addressing issues in long-term care for seniors.

The Throne Speech also includes a number of highlights in other areas, including:

• Plans to modify the budgetary process to reduce the impact of wild fluctuations in natural resource revenues;
• Maintaining 40 per cent debt reduction;
• Banning texting and hand-held cell phone usage while driving;
• New ticket sales legislation to protect those wishing to attend events and concerts;
• A significant commitment to increasing wind power; and
• A new goal of 3,400 nominations under the Immigrant Nominee Program, with reduced processing times for immigration.

Wall said Saskatchewan has continued moving forward despite the recession over the past year, and the goal of his government is to keep Saskatchewan moving forward.

"While Saskatchewan has felt the effects of the recession, we have weathered the storm very well compared to most other places," Wall said. "Our population is growing at its fastest pace in 50 years, we have the lowest unemployment in Canada and Saskatchewan is well-positioned as the recovery slowly starts to take hold.

"Our government's job is to keep moving forward with policies that ensure a balance between a growing economy and ensuring that Saskatchewan people enjoy the benefits of a growing economy."

-30-

For more information, contact:

Kathy Young
Executive Council
Regina, Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8927