This past year our government tabled a balanced budget which, as 2019 ends, was confirmed as being on track in the Mid-Year Financial Report. Also, in 2019, many major projects to improve quality of life were completed including the new Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford, the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatchewan, and the Regina Bypass.
Our legislative agenda for the fall session included several measures that will strengthen Saskatchewan such as the regulation of vaping and vaping products, tougher penalties for distracted driving, improved WCB coverage for firefighters and a funding plan to reduce surgical wait times.
Our government has also recently outlined steps Saskatchewan is taking to advance our economic future, and to assert provincial autonomy over our own affairs in areas such as taxation, immigration, trade and climate change policy.
With a new year on the horizon, I’m reminded of how far we’ve come and the work that is still ahead of us. When former Premier Brad Wall released Saskatchewan’s Plan for Growth: Vision 2020 and Beyond, that visionary document laid the foundation for much of the growth and success our province and its people have seen.
I am reminded of important investments in Yorkton over the past decade including the water treatment plant and most recently the storm sewer upgrade with the Highway 9 bridge project, as well as the partnership with the RM of Orkney in the upgrading of Grain Miller’s Road, then the significant investment into Advanced Education by way of the Parkland College Trades and Technology Centre. Additionally, there was the Highway 52A truck reliever route and now the beginning of passing lane construction, through Yorkton, between Melville and Canora.
As we are nearing a new decade - the 2020s - thanks to the strong leadership of Premier Scott Moe, I am proud to say that Saskatchewan is positioned for a new decade of growth.
A few weeks ago, our government introduced Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan for The Next Decade of Growth. This plan will serve as a roadmap for a growing population of 1.4 million people and 100,000 new jobs by 2030. The plan, in its entirety, can be found online at www.saskgrowthplan.ca.
As the representative for Yorkton, I will continue and commit to working as part of our provincial government to strengthen families, our community and our economy.
From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and best wishes for health, happiness and prosperity in 2020.
