(file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Speech from the Throne

Throne speech focuses on new beginnings in much-changed Legislature

Nov 25, 2024 | 2:05 PM

If the throne speech that kicked off the 30th Saskatchewan Legislature is anything to go by, Premier Scott Moe heard loud and clear that while some residents are happy with the government’s recent performance, a large number are not and want change.

Titled ‘A New Beginning’, the 2024 speech started by acknowledging that over 50 per cent of MLAs are new to their jobs.

“In every election, voters deliver a message. In this recent election, Saskatchewan voters delivered two messages,” said the speech, which was read by Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty on Monday, Nov. 25.

“Many Saskatchewan people voted to re-elect my government to ensure a strong economy and a bright future for our province. At the same time, many other Saskatchewan people voted for change.”

In the October election, the government changed from the Sask. Party holding 42 seats, to having a slimmer majority at 34. All of those seats went to the NDP and virtually shut the government out of representation in Regina and Saskatoon. The party holds one seat in Saskatoon.

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The Sask. Party managed to hold on to their two seats in Prince Albert but Northcote was won by only 133 votes.

As laid out, the plan addressed a growing population and an economic plan for 2030.

Targets are to increase the population to 1.4 million, get $16 billion/year in private capital investment, increase value-added revenue to $10 billion and double forestry sales to $2.2 billion

While part of that forestry plan includes the planned construction of an OSB mill north of Prince Albert, the company that owns the pulp mill is not planning to re-open anytime soon. Paper Excellence (now DOMTAR) said this fall it will sell the facility.

READ MORE: One Sky said that increased access to wood fibre makes the OSB mill more viable.

“My government must also do more to address the challenges of growth – challenges like crowded classrooms and access to health care services,” said Moe.

In the area of health, Moe promised to expand access to urgent care. A first-in-Saskatchewan facility is operational now in Regina and has seen 14,000 visitors since July. Another is planned in Saskatoon as a partnership with Ahtahkakoop First Nation.

More are now being announced, including Prince Albert, North Battleford, Moose Jaw and Regina.

In rural areas, the province will keep recruiting staff through the Health Human Resources Action Plan, something that has resulted in 84 per cent of residents having access to a primary health care practitioner.

Moe has committed to ensuring that every resident will have access to healthcare by the end of 2028.

“My government will reach this goal through partnership and collaboration with our healthcare providers to deliver team-based primary care to Saskatchewan people,” the speech said.

More practical plans including providing at-home HPV tests, developing a Breast Health Centre of Excellence in Regina and introducing a fertility treatment tax credit.

No cost coverage for glucose monitoring and supplies will expand to include seniors and those under 25.

In the area of education, the government promised two key things: increased support for complex classrooms and funding targeted at getting an increased number of students reading at their age level by Grade 3.

Earlier this year, eight schools were selected to pilot a ‘specialized support classroom model’. Two of the schools were in Prince Albert and another two in North Battleford.

That program will expand by an additional 200 schools now.

Teachers and support staff will be added to boost student’s ability to read at grade level by Grade 3. That grade is a crucial age as children switch from learning to read to reading to learn.

Day care spaces will more than double from the 5,100 spaces currently available to an additional 12,000 by the end of the next fiscal year.

On the affordability front, the government plans several measures, with the main one being the “largest personal income tax reduction in Saskatchewan since 2008”.

The personal, spousal and child exemptions and the senior’s benefit will be supplemented by $500 a year over the next four years.

The low-income tax benefit will also increase by 20 per cent over the next four years.

The government plans to increase the amount recipients of Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) can earn by $1,000 annually without deductions.

That applies to single people, couples or families and right now is maxed at $8,500 for families, making the change an increase of just over 11 per cent.

In an effort to keep young people living in Saskatchewan, the Graduate Retention Program will jump by 20 per cent, capping now at $24,000 for a four-year undergraduate degree.

A $5,000 Class 1 Driver Training rebate will also be introduced.

Wrapping up, Moe promised a more respectful assembly, something that was a contentious issue in the last sitting.

House speaker Randy Weekes (Biggar) ended his political career by accusing the sitting government of harassing him by text if they did not like his rulings. He also accused Meadow Lake MLA and now Minister of Crown Investments and Crown Corporations Jeremy Harrison of harassment and bringing a gun into the Legislature.

Weekes lost a contested nomination for the newly created Kindersley – Biggar riding.

“This Assembly should always be a place of vigorous debate and even strong disagreement. But that debate and disagreement should always be driven by what is best for those we serve – the people of Saskatchewan. It should never be driven by malice toward those on the other side or any individual who may serve here or anywhere in the province,” the speech said.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com