By Darryl Hickie’s MLA Report

Darryl Hickie’s MLA Report

Aug 9, 2011 | 11:31 AM

This past week was one of the best when it came to news stories and announcements for Prince Albert:

PRINCE ALBERT PULP INCORPORATED

This past week I had the privilege of accompanying Premier Wall and Paper Excellence Vice-President Ed Roste, along with staff of the mill and dignitaries for the unofficial opening of the new Prince Albert Pulp Incorporated. The sign revealing was a moment of excitement as we now have a Company name assigned to the site. As traffic on highway 55 honked their horns in approval all in attendance agreed that the re-starting of the mill without risking tax payers dollars was a sign that the forestry industry was making a comeback.

An interesting point I want to mention pertains to the agreement to purchase cogenerated power from P.A. Pulp as an important factor in Paper Excellence moving on the purchase. In fact the deal to purchase green cogenerated energy from the site to put into the provincial power grid was something that should have been allowed to happen prior to the mill closing. Our government recognizes that many companies have for years wanted to do just this, all were denied except for two, and for every venture wanting to look at the possibility of cogeneration our government will be more than willing to enter into those discussions. The reason is as our province continues to grow SaskPower is telling us that demand will need all available supply options explored and we will do just that.

POLICING

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

9h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

15h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

Dec 13, 2024

Our government understands that the safety and security of your family comes first. That’s why we have kept our campaign promise to add 120 more police officers over our four year term to help make our communities safer. With funding in place for the last 30 police positions, and their locations across Saskatchewan now determined, our goal is complete. Since 2007, our government has invested $14.3 million to add 120 new police officers, which includes 76 RCMP positions and 44 municipal police positions. These new positions will enhance policing services in both rural and urban areas, and also support specialized crime-fighting activities such as the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit and the Northern Drug Strategy. More police officers will help to provide peace of mind, so that you and your family can truly enjoy all of the advantages of living in Saskatchewan today. Prince Albert Police Service has 11 newly funded police officers out of the 44 funded municipal positions. Some of which have been assigned to the programs mentioned.

HEADSTART ON A HOME PROGRAM

Headstart on a Home will finance construction of at least 1,000 new, entry-level homes over the next five years. Builders and developers will be eligible for loans of 90 per cent of the construction cost of the homes, including land, at an interest rate of four per cent.

“Headstart on a Home is an important component of our affordable housing plan,” Social Services Minister June Draude said. “We will be increasing the housing inventory for people with modest incomes so they can buy their own homes. By working with the municipalities and community partners this program can ensure projects are tailored to meet each community's specific needs.”

The target price for the homes will be at or below the MLS average for the respective municipalities, likely ranging from $180,000 to $300,000. The homes may include condominiums, multi-unit, single family dwellings, modular homes, ready-to-move, etc.

Municipalities will apply for the loans on behalf of builders and developers. There is more than $200 million in funding available for the program through the federal Immigrant Investor Program, which will flow through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Investor Fund Inc. (SIIF), managed by Westcap Mgt Ltd. SIIF is a subsidiary of Crown Investments Corporation.

Prince Albert will be able to access this program and will become partners as we move forward on providing affordable home ownership. This is a part of our overall Housing Strategy that city councilor Ted Zurakowski (and NDP candidate) endorsed as the Chair of the city's Housing Committee. Thanks to the NDP candidate for supporting the Saskatchewan Party Government.

Some facts I thought you might find interesting:

– There is $12 billion in potash expansion currently underway in Saskatchewan

– Provincial population is at an all-time high of 1,053,960

– Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate is the lowest in Canada

– Patients waiting for surgery more than 18 months is down 75%

–  Patients waiting for surgery more than 12 months is down 55%

– Patients waiting for surgery more than 6 months is down 32%

– Patients waiting for surgery more than 3 months is down 21%

– We have seen the largest property tax cut in history

– Building permits were up by 74.6 per cent in June, 2011 over last June – the biggest increase of any province. Non-residential construction was up 86.4 per cent, while residential construction was up by 67.6 per cent.

These are just some of the signs that that the Saskatchewan Advantage is paying off.