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Innovative Approach to Building Communities

Nov 19, 2012 | 6:56 AM

In our recently released Growth Plan our government announced the creation of the SaskBuilds Fund to address the infrastructure needs in our growing province.

It will support growth through innovative partnerships. This model will work with stakeholders to attract capital investment to our province which translates into an increased tax base from which we fund our services and projects.

SaskBuilds will be funded with a transfer of $150 million from the Growth and Security Fund and will work with Saskatchewan municipalities to develop a municipal infrastructure program funded through SaskBuilds.

Last year our government demonstrated its commitment to provide Prince Albert with necessary infrastructure when repairs where needed on the Diefenbaker Bridge Your Saskatchewan Party government provided all the funding needed for the repairs. This shows the importance placed on the partnership with Prince Albert and northern citizens.

Seniors and renters will be further protected through updated regulations. These revisions mean seniors living in independent living facilities will have the right to use the Office of Residential Tenancies to resolve disputes, effective next April.1.

Amendments are also being made to The Residential Tenancies Act, 2007. Under The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act, 2012, landlords will now have to belong to an approved association if they want to increase rent more than once a year for tenancies without a lease.

For lease tenancies, landlords must give a two month notice of their intention to renew/not renew the lease and under what terms. The tenant has one month to respond. The new legislation came into effect Nov. 15. These changes provide tenants with additional protection against large rent increases in a short period of time.

Ensuring people have a safe place to work has also been addressed. Regulatory changes to improve safety for late night retail workers include:

• Establishing safe cash-handling procedure
• Installing video cameras;
• Providing good visibility and signage for all late-night retail premises;
• Establishing a check-in system; and
• Providing personal emergency transmitters to all workers working alone in late-night retail establishment.

On Nov. 6, a recognition event was held for the next 83 recipients of the Saskatchewan Scholarship of Honour. It was a small way to honour our returning soldiers, and the spouses and children of injured or fallen soldiers. The scholarship provides $5,000 to put toward the cost of post-secondary education. To be eligible, you must be:

• A current or former Saskatchewan resident;
• A returning soldier who actively served in designated military operations in the Canadian Forces (Regular or Reserves), after January 2001; or
• The spouse and/or child of permanently disabled or deceased soldiers who served in designated military operations after January 2001; and
• Be enrolled in a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution.

For more information on the Saskatchewan Scholarship of Honour, go to www.aeei.gov.sk.ca/soh.
Prince Albert Northcote constituents are always welcome to contact my office by calling 306-922-4220.

You may also visit my website at http://northcotevoice.ca or email mlanorthcote@sasktel.net. Our office is located at 5A 598 15th St East across from Superstore.