Predicting Saskatchewan

2010 ended with more positive news for our province.  We learned major economic fore-casters are predicting Saskatchewan will have the fastest growing economy in Canada this year.  Our economy is expected to increase by an average of 3.7 per cent in 2011, well ahead of the national average of 2.4 per cent.  We also learned that Saskatchewan’s population had hit a new record-high of 1,049,701.  With more than 50,000 people moving to our province since 2007, this is the fastest and most sustained period of population growth here in decades.

The end of the year also saw further confirmation our government did the right thing on behalf of Saskatchewan people by opposing BHP Billiton’s hostile takeover bid for the Potash Corporation.  Premier Brad Wall was named Newsmaker of the Year for the role he played in convincing the federal government the deal did not meet the ‘net benefit’ test for either Saskatchewan or Canada.  Suggestions this would negatively affect the investment climate here have proven unfounded.  BHP Billiton has announced it still plans to build a new potash mine in Jansen.  Mining companies from Brazil and Germany are proceeding with plans to invest significantly in our province’s economy.  These decisions support the Premier’s argument that you can say no for strategic reasons, but still have one of the best investment climates in the world.

Looking ahead to the spring session of the legislature, keeping our few remaining campaign promises will be a priority.  We will increase municipal revenue sharing to the equivalent of onepercentage point of the PST, providing cities, towns and RMs with a stable, long-term source of funding.  Our government will also make further increases to education funding.  This will translate into lower property taxes for many farm and ranch families.

The first promise our government kept following the 2007 election was the passing of fixed election date legislation.  Under law, the next provincial election will be held on November 7th of this year.  Between now and then, our government will continue to take action to ensure Saskatchewan remains the best place in Canada to live, work and raise a family.