First Nations-Metis Advance in Saskatchewan

The 2012-13 provincial budget revealed some exciting facts regarding First Nations and Metis people in Saskatchewan.

First Nations and Metis people are taking advantage of opportunities offered through the First Nations Apprenticeship Program, resulting in a 24 per cent increase in apprentices. The number of certified Journeypersons has doubled in the last five years from 61 to 123. This year another $450,000 has been committed to this program.

Statistics also show there are 5,900 more first Nations and Metis people employed to the end of February 2012, compared to last year, showing that efforts to increase workforce numbers are yielding results.

First Nations and Metis further benefit from the Saskatchewan Advantage through the provincial gaming agreements which will increase this year by 3.8 per cent to $67.6 million. In addition, year two funding will be provided to meet the commitment of $1.5 million over three years through the Northern Action Plan to work with Northern leaders to improve the well-being of at-risk individuals in northern Saskatchewan.

Families are benefiting from past budget tax changes that the Saskatchewan Party Government delivered. Today, a family of four with $50,000 in annual income pays less than a quarter of the taxes that the NDP charged them. That means this family of 4 now has a tax savings of $2,638 dollars each year! In 2012/13, all Saskatchewan residents will benefit from the Saskatchewan Advantage!

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As promised, our government is sustaining growth and opportunities by providing municipalities with a full percentage point of the PST. This means that Prince Albert is participating in revenue sharing to the tune of $6,661,992 in this budget of 2012/13, a one-hundred and twenty-two percent (122%) increase since the 07/08 year!

Other direct implications for Prince Albert Northcote in this budget include the Pinegrove Women’s Correctional Center which will receive $9.6 million to complete its much needed renovation and building expansion.

As well, Pineview Terrace, which is one of the 7 previously announced Long Term Care facilities that will be built using a portion of the $42.7 million for construction of these facilities. The new shared ownership model has government pay 80% and the remaining 20% is the local cost share.

As a result of a new K–12 education funding formula, all school divisions will see a funding increase ranging anywhere from 1.7 to 14.4 percent.

Post-secondary educational facilities in Prince Albert will share in a 2% increase for operating costs at Saskatchewan institutions. This translates to a total of $12 million on top of the 10/11 budget amount.