Saskatchewan's Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty gave the 2023 Throne Speech about the government’s agenda in the next legislative session.Premier Scott Moe explained that the Throne Speech shows how the government intends “to build and protect Saskatchewan."“Together with Saskatchewan people, we will continue to build a strong province, a strong economy, strong communities and strong families,” said Moe. “And we will protect what we have built together from the risks of global uncertainty and from a federal government that seems intent on shutting down important parts of our economy.”Some of the government’s key legislation includes the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Amendment Act, Protection from Human Trafficking (Coerced Debts) Amendment Act, and the Saskatchewan Remembrance Day Observance Act.The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Amendment Act has been revised to increase the legal age for both smoking and vaping. The age has been raised from 18 to 19, aligning it with the legal age for consuming alcohol and cannabis.The Protection from Human Trafficking (Coerced Debts) Amendment Act aims to provide relief to human trafficking victims. It ensures that they are not burdened by negative credit factors that were incurred due to coercion.The Saskatchewan Remembrance Day Observance Act has been established to safeguard the rights of individuals in Saskatchewan. This act ensures they can wear a poppy in all workplaces within the province. At Moe’s press conference, he said that his office had been contacted by people working in the private sector and several government departments. However, Moe refused to answer which government departments.AFFORDABILITYThe government is introducing a new Saskatchewan Employment Incentive Program designed to increase the income of low-income working families with dependent children.To encourage new home construction and address rising costs, new homeowners will be eligible for a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) Rebate for new home construction, effective retroactively from April 1, 2023.The government is rolling out a Secondary Suite Program to increase rental options, allowing homeowners to put a rental suite inside their residence.JOB CREATIONThe province will have a significant presence at the COP28 Conference in the United Arab Emirates. At COP28, Saskatchewan companies and government officials will showcase the province’s sustainable products to the international community.The administration is also launching a new Investment Attraction Strategy to continue to expand Saskatchewan’s economy.A new Saskatchewan Jobs Plan is being introduced to boost employment opportunities across the province.Moe’s government remains committed to increasing indigenous employment and economic participation, facilitated through the Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation.SASK FIRST ACTTo protect Saskatchewan’s economic autonomy, the government will utilize The Saskatchewan First Act. This will allow them to refer the federal Clean Electricity Regulations, the Clean Fuel Standard, and the oil and gas emissions cap to the Economic Impact Assessment Tribunal.HEALTHCAREPlans are underway to implement a new Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions, which includes the creation of 500 new addiction treatment spaces throughout the province.The government is also initiating a new Provincial Approach to Homelessness.They have plans to create 30 new complex needs emergency shelter spaces in Regina and Saskatoon.They are also working to expand mental health services for children and youth in Estevan, Weyburn, Carlyle, Oxbow, Regina, Saskatoon, North Battleford, Humboldt, Prince Albert, Kindersley, Yorkton, Swift Current, and Moose Jaw.The government continues to build hospitals and healthcare facilities in various locations, including Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Weyburn, La Ronge, Grenfell, and other communities.Efforts are ongoing to enact the Health Human Resources Action Plan to recruit, train, incentivize, and retain healthcare workers across the province.The Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program will be expanded to include cities such as Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Yorkton, and The Battlefords.The government is attempting to reduce the pandemic-related surgical backlog as quickly as possible.The Workers’ Compensation (Extending Firefighter Coverage) Amendment Act has been introduced to expand cancer coverage for firefighters. This now includes six more types of cancer.They are enhancing support for second-stage housing to protect individuals fleeing interpersonal violence.EDUCATION AND CHILDCAREPlans are in place to continue the construction of new schools in areas including Regina, Saskatoon, Lanigan, Moose Jaw, and La Loche.They continue to expand online learning opportunities for students through the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre. New childcare spaces will be added as staff becomes available. “A strong and growing province means more homes, more businesses, more families, more opportunities, more careers and more futures have been built, right here in Saskatchewan,” said Moe. “It means more hospitals, more schools, and more highways have been built right here in Saskatchewan. And it means there is so much more to be built in the years ahead. My government, together with the people of our great province, will keep building Saskatchewan, and we will protect all we have built.”
Saskatchewan's Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty gave the 2023 Throne Speech about the government’s agenda in the next legislative session.Premier Scott Moe explained that the Throne Speech shows how the government intends “to build and protect Saskatchewan."“Together with Saskatchewan people, we will continue to build a strong province, a strong economy, strong communities and strong families,” said Moe. “And we will protect what we have built together from the risks of global uncertainty and from a federal government that seems intent on shutting down important parts of our economy.”Some of the government’s key legislation includes the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Amendment Act, Protection from Human Trafficking (Coerced Debts) Amendment Act, and the Saskatchewan Remembrance Day Observance Act.The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Amendment Act has been revised to increase the legal age for both smoking and vaping. The age has been raised from 18 to 19, aligning it with the legal age for consuming alcohol and cannabis.The Protection from Human Trafficking (Coerced Debts) Amendment Act aims to provide relief to human trafficking victims. It ensures that they are not burdened by negative credit factors that were incurred due to coercion.The Saskatchewan Remembrance Day Observance Act has been established to safeguard the rights of individuals in Saskatchewan. This act ensures they can wear a poppy in all workplaces within the province. At Moe’s press conference, he said that his office had been contacted by people working in the private sector and several government departments. However, Moe refused to answer which government departments.AFFORDABILITYThe government is introducing a new Saskatchewan Employment Incentive Program designed to increase the income of low-income working families with dependent children.To encourage new home construction and address rising costs, new homeowners will be eligible for a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) Rebate for new home construction, effective retroactively from April 1, 2023.The government is rolling out a Secondary Suite Program to increase rental options, allowing homeowners to put a rental suite inside their residence.JOB CREATIONThe province will have a significant presence at the COP28 Conference in the United Arab Emirates. At COP28, Saskatchewan companies and government officials will showcase the province’s sustainable products to the international community.The administration is also launching a new Investment Attraction Strategy to continue to expand Saskatchewan’s economy.A new Saskatchewan Jobs Plan is being introduced to boost employment opportunities across the province.Moe’s government remains committed to increasing indigenous employment and economic participation, facilitated through the Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation.SASK FIRST ACTTo protect Saskatchewan’s economic autonomy, the government will utilize The Saskatchewan First Act. This will allow them to refer the federal Clean Electricity Regulations, the Clean Fuel Standard, and the oil and gas emissions cap to the Economic Impact Assessment Tribunal.HEALTHCAREPlans are underway to implement a new Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions, which includes the creation of 500 new addiction treatment spaces throughout the province.The government is also initiating a new Provincial Approach to Homelessness.They have plans to create 30 new complex needs emergency shelter spaces in Regina and Saskatoon.They are also working to expand mental health services for children and youth in Estevan, Weyburn, Carlyle, Oxbow, Regina, Saskatoon, North Battleford, Humboldt, Prince Albert, Kindersley, Yorkton, Swift Current, and Moose Jaw.The government continues to build hospitals and healthcare facilities in various locations, including Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Weyburn, La Ronge, Grenfell, and other communities.Efforts are ongoing to enact the Health Human Resources Action Plan to recruit, train, incentivize, and retain healthcare workers across the province.The Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program will be expanded to include cities such as Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Yorkton, and The Battlefords.The government is attempting to reduce the pandemic-related surgical backlog as quickly as possible.The Workers’ Compensation (Extending Firefighter Coverage) Amendment Act has been introduced to expand cancer coverage for firefighters. This now includes six more types of cancer.They are enhancing support for second-stage housing to protect individuals fleeing interpersonal violence.EDUCATION AND CHILDCAREPlans are in place to continue the construction of new schools in areas including Regina, Saskatoon, Lanigan, Moose Jaw, and La Loche.They continue to expand online learning opportunities for students through the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre. New childcare spaces will be added as staff becomes available. “A strong and growing province means more homes, more businesses, more families, more opportunities, more careers and more futures have been built, right here in Saskatchewan,” said Moe. “It means more hospitals, more schools, and more highways have been built right here in Saskatchewan. And it means there is so much more to be built in the years ahead. My government, together with the people of our great province, will keep building Saskatchewan, and we will protect all we have built.”
