From Many People’s Strength
As another year comes to a close, I am encouraged to see continued confidence and steady growth that help to bring benefits to our local community and province. Our government is committed to the renewal of Victoria Hospital and is willing to partner with both the City and the Government of Canada to fund a second river crossing. We’re investing in and helping to build hundreds of new housing units and we recently celebrated the completion of the new Pineview Terrace.
Prince Albert now receives a greater share of predictable funding from the province; unconditional dollars that help meet challenges that are unique to our community. Our city is also safer than it was before thanks in part to the Community Mobilization Partnership. Crime rates have decreased and the initiative is being implemented across the province.
Just recently, we learned that Saskatchewan’s population is closing in on 1,130,000 – growth of nearly 20,000 people per year since 2007. This is thanks to our people, their hard work and determination. While the steady growth Saskatchewan is experiencing creates both opportunities and challenges, we far prefer the challenges of growth to that of decline.
Continued tax relief for individuals and families, as well as ongoing investments in infrastructure, will help us meet these challenges and keep Saskatchewan strong and moving forward. Despite recent volatility in the price of oil, we remain on track to deliver yet another balanced budget. This is in part thanks to a diverse economy and sound fiscal management.